1845 – This four-page stampless folded letter expressing worry about an upcoming examination sent by a cadet at West Point to his sister in Pennsylvania
West Point, New York: 1845. Envelope or Cover. Unfolded, the letter, written on 25 May 1845 by Cadet James Oakes, to his sister in Milton, Pennsylvania, measures 15.5” x 9.5”. It bears a circular West Point postmark along with a manuscript “18½“ rate mark. It also bears both a “Paid” manuscript and handstamped marking. Lightly toned with two short, transparent archival tape mends to mailing fold splits. In nice shape.
It reads in part:
“Every thing is passing along as usual. We resumed our summer pants about two weeks ago but oweing to the severity of the weather we were obliged to resort to our winter ones again; we resumed our summer ones a day or two ago for the second time. . .. It is cold and stormy out now, and what adds to our misery we have no fires.
“It will soon be time for the plebes to come out, and even now for every young fellow that happens to land on the point it is remarked, there is a plebe. . ..
“The examination is fast approaching, it is enough to make one tremble just to think of it. Our course is very long and difficult and in addition to this we have a very severe professor. A great deal depends on the examination should I do well I am certain of passing but should I do very bad it would be hard to tell what would be my fate. So you see it is just six on one side and half dozen on the other whether I pass or not. Although I stand higher in philosophy than I ever stood in Mathematics previous to any others, ye my case is just as critical. Our class is the largest on the point besides this will be the last time they will have a chance to cut it down. . .. You may expect to hear from me soon after the examination. . ..
“I expect to see W Hunter or Mcguire or somebody else along this by before long by way of representing the 13th district. . .. There is no doubt but what he thinks he is going to enter a perfect paradise. He will be very apt to discover his mistake before he passes through his plebeship. . ..
“I will wind up by informing you that our Commandant has had his whiskers colored from a sandy to that of a black color. . ..”. Very good. Item #010650
Oakes went on to pass the examination he so feared and graduated from the U. S. Military Academy in 1846, after which he was commissioned in the 2md Dragoons. During the Mexican-American War, he was breveted to 1st Lieutenant for “gallant and meritorious conduct during the affair at Medelin, Mex.” And to captain for gallantry at Molino del Rey. Following the war he served on the frontier and was wounded during a fight with Indians in 1850. He was officially promoted to Captain in the 2nd Infantry Regiment in 1855 and led numerous scouting parties searching for hostile Indian bands. He was promoted to Major at the start of the Civil War and commanded a regiment in the Tennessee and Mississippi campaign and later served as a recruiter in Illinois. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel before the end of the year and assigned to the 4th Cavalry . In 1866, Oakes commanded the 6th Cavalry as a Colonel in 1866. Later he was breveted as a brigadier general “for his meritorious and faithful service in the recruitment of the armies of the United States and retired in 1879.
(For more information see The Union Army: A History of Military Affairs in the Loyal States 1861-1865, Volume 8 Biographical, 1908.).
Price: $200.00