Letter from Henry, dated 1861-06-02

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to have no other. Geo. A. French is Capt. Chas. [Work?] first Lieut. J. Monroe Poland 2nd. We have but just commenced drilling with arms, but we are science as far as we have gone. I will just give you an outline of our daily routine. Owing to my long absence I have more to do than most of them. We have recitations morning and evening and most of us at noon. At 9.A.M. we have sword Drill at four P.M. regular Infantry Drill. Our company forms a sort of home guard and I believe is to leave town only in case of [underline]invasion[/underline] as the man out West said. We or myself at least have any amount of studying to do this summer. This will be my hardest term. I have Algebra, Geometry, Herodotus, Tacitus Livy and Roman History all of which I have not looked at for two years to exhume the studies of last fall to bring up, part of which I have already done besides keeping along with the class

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which is going at a killing pace. The class is reviewing Analytical Geometry and Calculus at the rate of seven or eight pages per day, and I am taking it in advance. We have long lessons in Thucydides and Philosophy. I have got my chemistry about one third up, and shall finish it this week probably, as we have but one more lesson in Philosophy. I suppose we shall have a chance to study French this summer and I want to do so very much, but have not fully made up my mind. It will be too much for me to do and do it well, but it may be of more practical importance than a few tenths in my standing. I have commenced my reviewing this early. I have nearly reviewed Tacitus and as I read in a different place from most of the class Prof. Clark says he will give me an examination as soon as I get it reviewed. I shall then be thro' with that, and will work off some others in the same way.

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I find now about six hours for study, reading and writing. I arise at 5. A.M. study one hour before breakfast, two before dinner, two in the afternoon and one in the evening, retiring punctually at 9. I take more exercise than ever, and it is regular. I board down town and in going to my meals and to drill I walk eight miles each day. I am in hopes that this with my drills, occasional long walks, and Dr. Foote will keep me in health. Our exhibition passed off finely. Ballard said he had attended four and ours was the best. Our music was excellent. S.[N.?] said he liked my piece the best. He said it was the most practical and contained the most sense. The kind of compliment I like. Kile had the most ornate piece. Patterson the most touching. There were sixteen Middlebury Sophs. here and after exhibition we went to the Lake House

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and had a regular jollification. Graham was here, also Bailey. A little matter occurred here yesterday which is to good to keep. A dozen of the Middlebury Freshmen came up here yesterday to attend a concert given here last eve. They came in the morn. to make their brother freshes here a visit. In showing them around, they took them up into the College cupola. While they were there enjoying themselves finely, some one (no one knows whom) went up and nailed up the door sometimes called "Calvin's folly" at the entrance of the celebrated "dark hole". When they came down they found themselves cooped up where John Bryan O'Lynn McSturgen Nash heard such strange noises. They finally succeeded in breaking through the ceiling, for the door would not give, and made their escape. They are not "very pleased" in fact they are wroth at the Sophomores, for all such things are laid to them. It was a clean thing on them. see 4th page first sheet.