West Point Friday afternoon
My dear Sister,
We arrived safely at this place
last evening having been delayed four hours
on our Passage by the boat getting aground
12 miles from Albany – I am so much
better that I can hardly realize that I was
so feeble when I left home – Augustus is
quite well again he has been more ill than
I supposed from his letters his diarrhea was
attended with considerable fever he was two
weeks at the hospital and has not yet done
military duty though he commenced his studies
on Monday – he says now he feels perfectly
well – I was obliged to walk from the landing
to this elevated hotel a distance of 1/2 a mile
up hill – you may judge how much strength
I have gained though I was obliged to stop and
rest frequently and when I reached the house
quite exhausted – It It was then after 6 oclock
Henry went immediately in pursuit of Augustus
and obtained permission from the Commandant
for him to spend the evening with us – As he
is not permitted to go into any room but the
parlor I could only see him in the presence

of three of four officers who favored us with a call
He remained until 1/2 past 9 – after he left I
came immediately to bed – After breakfast I
must walk out and see the "guard mounting"
and hear the band – At 10 a carriage
came to take us to 'fort Putnam' – from which
we had the most glorious prospect imaginable
how glad I shall be to enjoy it with you –
here I had a high hill to climb and
came back much fatigued – after dinner
I lay down one half hour when a carriage
came to take us to Mr Kinsleys – This was
a charming drive along the high band of
the river with mountains and rocks all
about us – The scenery at West Point is
all that it has been represented – it exceeds
my imaginings – We spent half an hour
with Mr. Kinsley (Mrs K – being indisposed) who
is a very agreeable gentlemanly man with a
fine person and pleasing face – how different from
the ogre Sam represented him – When we
returned we called at Major Delafield's
(Mrs D called upon me this morning while I was
at the fort) – The Major is a hard favoured
man – he complimented Augustus highly upon
his being so good a French Scholar which surprised
me Augustus having always represented himself
in a very different light – The evening drill

commenced at 1/2 past 4 and continued until
6 oclock – Augustus was excused and staid
with us – I had a good long talk with him
upon the pretty rustic settee under the
trees near the parade ground where we could
see all the evolutions of the cadets – At
6 he went to his tea – we came to ours
I shall not see him again until tomorrow
after dinner when he has a holiday and
will spend Sunday with us – Henry has conclud[ ed ]
to remain until Sunday night when I am
to go down the river with him – I intend
returning here – May go to Florida – I do
not remember what arrangement was made
about the direction of your letter but believe
they were to come here after you receive
this direct to Albany it is so uncertain
where I shall be and Henry can send them
to me from there – O how glad I should
be to kiss my wee boy – I know Aunty will
take good care of him and hope he will con-
tinue well – I cr cried when I went to bed
Tuesday night reflecting upon your patient forbearance
with my peevish petulance all the morning
Fred is well – sends love – we stay with the Weeds
Wednesday night – came down in the Empire
I write in haste for the evening boat
kiss my boy for me Your own Sister –

Mrs Alvah Worden
Canandaigua
TROY N.Y.
OCT 7