U.S. Mil. Academy West Point N.Y. 7 Dec. 1854
SALUTATION
It would give me much pleasure to comply with your request of the 4th Inst. for your son Cadet Thos. R. Gannett to spend Christmas with his sister at Harlem; but the Regns. of the Acady. allow only one leave of absence to the Cadets, & that is during their third encampment. Nor has it been customary for Cadets to be absent on Christmas, as you have heard, except such as may live so near, as to enable them to spend Christmas Day with their parents without interruption of their duties or studies. The semiannual examination follows Christmas so closely, that it is very important that nothing should interfere with their studies at the time, & if the privilege to visit relatives or friends was granted to one, it should be extended to all, which you will see would eventually interfere with their duties. I am happy to inform you that your son is making favourable progress in his studies & is habitually attentive to his duties, & I hope will take a creditable standing in his class at the approaching Examination.
I am Madam with much respect Your obedt. Servt.
Signed/ R. E. Lee Br. Col:
Supt: Mil: Acady
Superintendent's Daily Correspondence United States Military Academy
Superintendent's Letter Book No. 3, p. 155. Addressed “Mrs. Mary Gannett Salem, Mass.”