James Waterman Watson letter, 1877 July 14.

  1. Resources
  2. View Resource

ArchivalResource

James Waterman Watson letter, 1877 July 14.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/182622188

Letter of James Waterman Watson, a Mississippi native and a cadet at the United States Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., to his sister Linda. Writing from West Point, Watson describes student life at the academy, his aversion to guard duty and his enthusiastic attendance at dancing lessons, and the social and dancing success his sister will likely enjoy when she comes to West Point for his graduation. Watson also tells of graduation ceremonies at West Point and the fate of recent graduates, most of whom, Watson says, are sent "out to the plains," presumably to take part in Indian wars. One such recent graduate, Watson writes, was killed in the Indian wars in Idaho. Watson notes plans to move the remains of General George Custer to West Point, where they will be buried with military honors by the corps of cadets.

1 letter.

Louisiana State University, LSU Libraries

Information

SNAC Resource ID: 6943136

Louisiana State University, LSU Libraries

Related Entities

There are 3 Entities related to this resource.

United States Military Academy

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w67x01xt (corporateBody)

West Point, N.Y., was originally utilized as a strategic defense location during the American Revolution. West Point is geographically located on a 100 ft. plateau overlooking the Hudson River. After the American victory Congress created a Corps of Invalids (veterans) that were transferred to West Point for the purpose of instructing candidates for commission. In 1802 Congress legally established the United States Military Academy at West Point. The Academy produced many leaders of American forc...

Watson, James Waterman, 1855-1920

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6z35g8t (person)

Custer, George Armstrong, 1839-1876

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6x45mg6 (person)

Custer's paternal ancestors, Paulus and Gertrude Küster, came to the North American English colonies around 1693 from the Rhineland in Germany, probably among thousands of Palatines whose passage was arranged by the English government to gain settlers in New York and Pennsylvania. According to family letters, Custer was named after George Armstrong, a minister, in his devout mother's hope that her son might join the clergy. Custer was born in New Rumley, Ohio, to Emanuel Henry Custer (1806...