Robert Woodward Barnwell writes to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, about news at South Carolina College in Columbia. Barnwell writes of a hornblower on campus who is subject to suspension if caught, his preparation for his first speech in front of the Euphradian society and the eloquence of the Sunday sermons of Rev. James H. Thornwell.
Robert Woodward Barnwell writes to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, with news from South Carolina College. Barnwell writes of discouraging his brother, Edward, from dancing and describes his competition with James Rion for highest honors.
Robert Woodward Barnwell writes to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, halfway through his final examination at South Carolina College and gives his opinion regarding the competition for highest honors he is engaged in with James Rion.
Robert Woodward Barnwell writes to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, from Laurel Bay Plantation. Barnwell writes of the well-being of the family, the health and spiritual training of the servants and neglect of the livestock by the slaves, and requests his mother to send a pineapple from Charleston to be served as dessert for an upcoming dinner party.
Robert Woodward Barnwell writes to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, about a washing machine he has purchased for her and includes a recipe for soap. He also informs her of a calf he is sending via his servant "Aleck" and tells her to "let the negroes know that if it is missing, I will have every one on the plantation punished."
Robert Woodward Barnwell writes to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, of his plans to spend his summer vacation in spiritual work with the Confederate Army, specifically at hospitals near Manassas, VA, where he hopes to bring along a "Corps of Lady nurses."
Robert Woodward Barnwell writes to sister, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, about her education and describes the improvements in the Steward's Hall at the South Carolina College, including fancy silverware, new tables and a new cook "fresh from Daniel Webster's kitchen."
Robert Woodward Barnwell writes to sister, Elizabeth Barnwell, telling her of his preference for Beaufort women compared to the women he has met in Germany.
Robert Woodward Barnwell writes to William H. W. Barnwell about the expulsion of a student from the South Carolina College and his concern about Charleston's needy citizens in the aftermath of a fire.
Robert Woodward Barnwell, Beaufort, SC, writes to his brother William H. W. Barnwell in "Pendleton Village" of efforts by Robert Barnwell Rhett to get William his own congregation and church in Charleston.
