Fort Monroe Va

Nov. 1875

 

My dear Mother

                        During the last two or three weeks I have been very much occupied on an essay that I have had to prepare in the course of instruction here and now having finished it, I will endeavor to let you know how I am getting along &c. Before I forget it, I will ask you to tell Taff that I will attend to that paper in a day or two. It is about 4 miles to a county clerk and I haven't had an opportunity of going, since I received it. I have been in the enjoyment of excellent health since I last wrote. Have gained considerable flesh since I have been here—weighing more than ever before. The frosty weather was heartily welcomed by me for not only was the enervating heat banished but also those greater torments—mosquitoes flies &c were driven away. So I now sit back before my cozy fire, with the satisfactory reflection, that the elements of nature at least / are favorable to the enjoyments of life.

 

I dont believe I have ever given you any description of this place, so possibly a short one would interest you. It is one of the largest and most expensive fortifications in the U.S. having cost many millions of dollars,—was commenced about 1812 and the main work was finished only a short time before the civil war. Some of the out works are not yet finished, and new earth works are to be constructed along the water front, not only to obtain a more powerful fire in that direction, but to cover to some extent the masonry of the main work from the enemys projectiles, old ante-bellum masonry being too weak to stand the fire of modern ordnance. The work is bastioned on all sides and is about a mile in circumference.

 

I suppose you know what a bastioned front is—one of those drawings of mine representing it. The general site of the ground is but a few feet above the water level, and all the earth of the parapet had to be hauled. Considering that the ramparts are about 20 feet high 35 feet wide on top, and about 50 or 60 at the bottom and nearly a mile long, and that of the five or six fronts, three are occupied with arched casemates / the parapet six feet high of earth rivetted with dressed stone on the ramparts—that the rampart throughout its length is sustained by a scarf wall 20 feet high of dressed stone—You can form a slight idea of its size and costliness. I cannot give much of a description without using many professional terms that probably you would not understand. There are five Companies stationed here, the officers being changed every year, or hereafter every two years. The school is both practical and theoretical in nearly all the branches of military art and science. Of course one year is a very short time to undertake so much. And cramming theory without time for digesting it, only tends to make the years life miserable, without a corresponding advantage; In consequence the course has been changed to two years—to commence with the next class. I am quite glad that I came as early as I did, to escape the two years course, for I begin to feel that I have done enough compulsory study in my life and hope that hereafter, what I do in that respect will be only voluntary. The garrison being very large, and having many visitors it is of course quite gay. Independently of the school it would be a splendid place to be stationed. I still / play some on my violin and when the opportunities arrive go a hunting.

 

            Give my love to all the family and write soon. I am glad you keep Nettie at school tell her to study hard—her music especially and she will be amply repaid afterward.

 

Affectionately your Son

Rezin

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