MILITARY ACADEMY,
WEST POINT, N.Y., Jan. 14, 1840.
My Dear Brother:
The examination is just over; the result is favorable toward
me, as usual. In Engineering I am fourth in my class, in Geology and Rhetoric
and Moral Philosophy each sixth; as to demerits I have also a respectable
number, about one hundred. The studies and exercises will be for the remainder
of the academic year exclusively military and important, and will engage us
sufficiently to make the time pass pleasantly and rapidly. You may well suppose
that we are all anxious for the arrival of June; the thoughts of graduation,
the freedom from academic labors and restraints, already engross our minds and
form the subjects of all our conversations and talks. Already have we given
directions for a class ring, for graduating trunks, for swords, epaulettes,
hats, chapeaux, and feathers, and in a couple of months the military tailor
will be here from the city to take our measures for uniform dress and undress
coats, cit's clothes, pants, etc., etc. Thus you see that by adding things of
this nature, which will constantly keep the future before our minds, we break in upon and enliven our otherwise monotonous life.
* * * * * * * * * *
What have you been doing all winter? Studying, or nothing? I am beginning to think that engineering is not the thing it is cracked up to be. It does not give constant employment to the engineer, who cannot, therefore,
rely upon a sure and constant reward for his labors. His duties, whilst
engaged, are exceedingly laborious and irksome, or of the other equally
disagreeable extreme; beside these, the prosecution of the different
improvements depends upon the States within which they lie, and there is but
little doubt that the policy of most of the State governments will soon change
in reference to their internal works, to paying more and borrowing less, and
allow the improvements to grow with their wealth and population. By examining
the public records you will see that the State debts are truly enormous, and if
they attempt to pay them, they will undoubtedly stop all expenditures which are
not absolutely necessary. I noticed in yesterday's paper that the governor of
Pennsylvania vetoed six or seven bills granting money for different purposes,
and returned them to the Legislature, assigning as a reason the absolute
necessity of paying the debts. I have mentioned these things to you that you
may reflect, while there is still time, of the propriety of selecting means to
be resorted to in case of necessity. What more naturally suggests itself than a
farm? Who can be more independent, more honest and honorable, who more sure of
a full reward for his labor, who can bestow more benefits on his fellow-beings,
and consequently be more happy, than an American farmer? If by any means you
may be able to get some land in Ohio, Iowa, or Wisconsin, you should do so by
all means, and more especially if it is partially improved. I do not mean for
the purpose of speculation, but to make use of yourself.
* * * * * * * * * *
Give my love to all the family, and oblige me by writing soon.
Your affectionate brother,
W. T. SHERMAN.
SOURCE: Rachel Sherman Thorndike, Editor, The Sherman Letters: Correspondence Between General and Senator Sherman from 1837 to 1891, pp. 9-11
