Wayne County, NC - Robinson/Ragsdale Collection File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Lori Price Cobb William & Emmet Robinson Collection Johnston County Heritage Center Reference Box, P.C.1.1. George Ragsdale Collection West Point N.Y. Sept 8th 1854 My Dear Pa, Yours of the 6th was received a few hours since. I had just returned from "Peas upon a Wencher", (the cadet term for dinner), when your letter was given to me by my roommate and as we have release from quarters every Saturday evening, I though it was a good time to answer it as I could get. I will not hereafter have as much to write about, as I did at first, when all was new and novel, mentioning only in my letters, my progress ___. We commenced our studies on Friday last, entering upon Bullions grammar and Davies Bowdon. Now it might seem to you that the foregoing studies would not be sufficient to occupy all our time, but they are and every moment is occupied at that. We get from 12 to 15 pages in Grammar every night, fine print included, and from 15 to 20 in Bowdon. Now the way we are accustomed to recite at home, this would not seem an extraordinary task, but here when you learn a lesson, it must be known thoroughly, and every word in your recitation or demonstration must be in its exact place and no other, and if not, your marks amount to nothing. I thought that you were exact enought, but what might I think now? You can scarcely conceive how strict they are. I did very bad in the section room the first day, because I was not accustomed to the mode of reciting and demonstrating, but this week, I did very well having missed nothing during the whole week. I have been studying constantly every spare moment, and had the good fortuen to get a room-mate who is a very hard student. I am in the 5th section in Math. and 6th in Ethics, and have got to ___ about 90 files to get the first section. There is more hard study here, I believe, than in any place in the United States, and it turns out more really scientifc men. The Instructors are all Lieutenants, and all number one mathematicians. The Text books used are chiefly those written by the Professors themselves. The Professors are said to be the best in the U.S. Prof Mahan is a very small man about your size. After graduating ath this Institution, he went to France and graduated 2nd at the Polytechnic School. Prof Church is very little taller than Windal, and thick set, and has a string of L.L.D.'s conferred by other Institutions. He goes by the not very euphorious title of "Old Stinky". Person who know nothing about this Institution entertain some very eroneous ideas concerning it. If a man graduates foot of his class here, it is considered by the world as bad, but in reality, he deserves credit for it for no one know, but a cadet, the toil and hard study it took to get even there. One class generally enters with about 110 or 15 members and graduates from 20 to 35 or 40. Now considering his case in this light, he has not done so bad as many would suppose. I have got 2 demerits, which only 2 or 3 can say in the class, the majority have from 30 to 100. It is considered as almost impossible to get through with less than 90 for Six months. I suppose the reason they did not send you a report of my conduct, was that they had nothing against me. Let there be no fear on your part, but that I will do my best. I receive a good many letters but will hereafter have time to answer none but yours. Give my love to Ma and brothers. Your ever affectionate Son William P.S. Nancy Kate and David still going to school at G? _________________________________________________________________________ USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. The electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. __________________________________________________________________________