James B. McPherson Letter to Sardis Birchard

              West Point, N. Y. 
June 4th 1854 
Dear Sir: 
We have just entered upon 
what Cadets term the "merry bright month of 
June" and are beginning to realize the changes 
which this month always brings with it. 
The new Cadets are coming in buoyant 
with hope and dreaming  no doubt of the mili- 
tary honors [underlined [military. . . honors] which await them.  The First Class 
are just about to receive the reward which four 
years hard study entitles them to while the other 
classes are undergoing their annual examination 
which closes the Academic duties for the year and 
places them so much nearer graduating [underlined], the Goal 
to which all look forward. 
Last thursday was devoted to paying our 
respects to the "Board of Visitors" sent on by the 
President to attend the examinations.  Showing them 
the public Buildings, giving them a Review of the Corps 
of Cadets &c.  Judge Whipple of Michigan is Pres. t [superscript] 
of the Board.  I cannot help but feel how differently 
I am circumstanced now, as compared with last June.