Military Training in North Carolina Public Schools 1853
Bradley School House, Sept. 28 / [1853]
Mr. Edward P. Smith
“Dear Brother”
Your last and first favor were read nearly at the same time. One lay in the office or somewhere nearly two months. I was glad to hear from you (for to tell you the truth I thought that you never would write to me by your writing to Frank and never to me) and to hear that you were well. You found us all well and I am in hopes this may find you the same. Your No. 1 One I have lost. I had [it] at the door examining it and drop [sic] it. I looked for it I don’t know how long and Ann too but we could not find it, but in looking for it I found a shilling so I take it for granted that it was silver ore. Send me some of the gold ore and I will try to be more carefull [sic] of it. I am teaching school yet, and has some right-fine times every Friday. All my schollars [sic] speak on that day and I muster all the Boys and I have the drum and fife, too. The smaller boys have wooden guns and the larger real ones. Frank was here last week and see [sic] me drill them. He says that they beat his company. Some Fridays there is some 25 or thirty people to hear them speak and to see them muster and lots of girls among them. I write this during recess and have no time to collect my thoughts so you must excuse this short letter. I saw Pa at court. They were all well. We all Am. Mother, Peter and John send our love and believe me I am, as ever your [Loving] Brother, L. H. Smith.
Source: L. H. Smith Papers #23.1.a.1...