Monday Jan 13^th – 1845
My dear Child,
I received a letter from you
a week ago which had been eight days
coming from the Point – it was written
the Saturday after Christmas – I wrote to
you New Years day – I suppose my letter
was equally long in reaching its destination
being greatly to my astonishment your Father
came home the Saturday night after
my letter was written – no one but himself
would have thought of undertaking a similar
journey in his situation – his arm was nearly
useless and his leg entirely so – he was
lifted to and from the cars in a chair
by four men and then walked slowly
with the aid of two crutches – He is
getting better but very slowly and the pressing
nature of his business renders him impatent
very desirous of recovery – The sprain of
his leg is much more painful and will
be much longer getting well than the

dislocation of his shoulder – he has walked with his
crutches once to the office but suffered much
in consequence – to day he is attempting to write
some letters with his lame arm – Aunty Worden
and Frances came the same evening with your
Father – they passed Sunday with us – then
accompanied your Uncle to Albany – they
are at Congress Hall – will remain five
or six weeks – then return here and stay
until April – I have one letter from
Albany – I presume Frances will enjoy a Winter
in the city – Aunty would prefer being
here – You do not mention having received
two letters from your father – I hope your
money arrived in time I had some
doubts after you mentioned your Christmas
festivities whether your allowance was
sufficient – I can supply you with more
now if you wish it – I always take it
for granted that you are not unreasonable
in your wishes in this respect – Your report
for November did not come until this month
you have 9 demerits for that month making in
the whole 45 – You have now passed the
January examination and ascertained your

standing in your class – Your father wishes you
to determine whether there is a propect of your
being found deficient in any of your studies
if so he prefers that you should ^resign^ previous
to the June examination as he thinks it
may be a disadvantage to you in after
life to be obliged to resign – You will
be able to make a pretty accurate calculation
by comparing the Official Registers of the two
last years – there has been 17 found deficient
in the third class two successive years –
should there be an equal number for this
year you would probably be among them –
I should not be willing to have you remain
five years if there was a certainty of your
being turned back – I think you would
not desire it yourself – but you are already
in possession of my wishes on the subject and
it is unnecessary now to repeat them – Let
us know when you write again what is
your opinion – I am impatient for the Winter
to pass away as I trust the Summer will
bring you once more to your home where
your presence will make gladden many
hearts – Adieu – Your affectionate Mother

Augustus H Seward
U. S. Military Academy
West Point
AUBURN
N.Y.
JAN
13