Lot 150
Patton Jr. George 1885 - 1945 Patton, at the start of his third year at West Point, tells his mother of his demotion to 6th Corporal, but hoping that in the autumn, "when foot-ball begins I shall be more fortunate."
Autograph Letter Signed, "G S Patton Jr.," 3 pages, 5.25" x 6.5" (page two: 6.5" x 10.5"), [West Point, New York], August 27, 1906, to his mother reporting on recent events including having to act as a cook for a march (due to the appointed cook's drunkenness) as well has his demotion to 6th Corporal. Expected folds, else fine condition.
Patton's letter reads in full: "I was on g.m. on the practice march and it was a bad job I was practically cook of course I had a soldier help me and an other to drive they were pretty good and worked hard but drank harder. I had to decide what the meals would be and how much 3 should cook. At first I was included to starve them but soon got on to it and managed very well. I bought a good many extra things with my own money and spent about $10, on the company. In the day time it was pretty good for riding through the green fields but when we got to camps had to work like the devil unpacking the wagon and pitching the kitchen tent. In the morning I had to get up at three thirty to see that the cook got breakfast. Once the cook was drunk and I had to get in myself. One day I decided to go with the troops but as we had to advance about a mile through a corn filed the corn gave me the worst attack of hay fever I ever had. I even lost my voice for an hour. But it soon got better. I got some pretty good pictures but next to the last day the wagon ran over my camera and smashed it all to hell. In fact I have had had a run of bad luck for men [had] broken into the trunk room and opened a lot of trunks and suit cases they took my new suit case with my two suits of clothes my watch and my little box of pins and things. Tonight the new marks were read out and I came out six (6) corp[oral]. I hope that when foot-ball begins I shall be more fortunate. Has papa fixed up his money affairs yet and in what way. I am very well. With lots of love your devoted son G S Patton Jr."
The letter dates from the start of Patton's third year at the United States Military Academy at West Point, though technically he was a second year student, having to repeat his first year after failing mathematics. Suffering from dyslexia, Patton struggled academically, but improved enough in his second year to earn him the rank of 2nd Corporal. In command he proved overzealous. Although his academics were mediocre, he excelled at drill and expected his subordinates to perform at the same level and was resented by his fellow cadets for that reason. It was largely due to his over-zealousness on the parade ground that he found himself demoted to the rank of 6th Corporal at the end of August 1906.
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