Lengthy ALS signed “Love, Georgie,” four pages on two adjoining sheets, 5.25 x 6.5, no date. Patton writes to his sister Nina. In full, with punctuation and spelling retained: “The ‘Wireless’ arrived alright, I think it was only a Yuna with a prolonged nose like that salmond we read about. If they have any pictures of it please send ne one. We are never allowed to go with out our coats so most of the men wear canvas cannon jackets, I have one, I am trying for the foot-ball team it is pretty hard work. I am in the first section in algibra in English and in American history. We have not begun to work much yet but they all say that it is pretty hard to stay in those advanced sections. Papa will probably tell you if he has not written already that if a boy makes a good stand in classes here he can go to West Point without having to pass any thing except his physical examination.
Yesterday I bought my belt buckle and breast-plate and then I asked for a belt and the Quarter master gave me a role of white stuff, that looks some thing like Marmions [his horse] 8 inch, the role was at least thirty feet long. From this you cut your waste belts and cross-belts. I have my dress uniform and it is the tightest thing you ever saw I cant stoop down or bend my neck. It is a very pretty uniform and when the men mount guard with their cross belts bayonets and cartridge boxes on they look splendid. My waste measure when I have this coat on is 28 inches. Dont say anything about geting to W.P. without examinations as it is a sort of secret. One bad part about this place is the fact that you are not allowed to leave your rooms untill after twelve oclock and you are not allowed to wash your hands from before breakfast untill after twelve at noon.
One of the boys in my room is named Curtis and is six feet four inches high. I am the third tallest man here and stand at the right of A company. All the boys in my room are very nice and none of them smoke or drink. One of them Polk is from Texas, Curtis and Rowe are from New York and I am from Cal. So we are pretty well spread out. I got Kashe’s letter and she is all right as a rider. Address your letters to Cadet Geo. S. Patton Jr [he’s crossed out the “eo” and the “Jr.”] Virginia Military Institute Lexington Va. Give my love to Aunt Nannie [his mother’s sister, Nannie Wilson].” In fine condition, with some areas of light toning and light show-through from writing on opposing sides.
Perhaps the most famous of the Patton family, “Georgie” was the latest in a line of relatives to walk the halls of VMI. He was receded at the school by his father, grandfather, and great uncles, all of whom attended VMI during the mid-19th century. The first George S. Patton served as Civil War commander of the 22nd Virginia Infantry Regiment and was killed at the Battle of Winchester in September 1864, while Great-Uncle Waller Tazewell Patton was a Confederate colonel who died of wounds sustained at Gettysburg. George S. Patton, Jr., meanwhile had spent only the 1903 school year as a VMI cadet before being accepted—as he had hoped—to West Point. “Papa will probably tell you...that if a boy makes a good stand in classes here he can go to West Point without having to pass any thing except his physical examination,” Patton writes, though cautioning his sister not to “say anything about getting to W.P. without examinations as it is a sort of secret.” While at VMI, Patton also participated in sports, telling his sister that “I am trying for the foot-ball team”—though his gridiron dream would fall short. Instead, Patton played left tackle on a ‘scrub’ football team—one that scrimmaged several times a week against the varsity squad. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
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