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This collection consists of one letter (dated September 18, 1847) from VMI Superintendent Francis H. Smith to General E. C. Carrington. The letter recommends a United States Army commission for John P. Bowyer. Bowyer had volunteered for service in the Mexican War, in which he subsequently served.

This collection consists of one letter of recommendation (dated October 27, 1856) written by VMI Superintendent Francis H. Smith on behalf of John R. Waddy. In the letter Smith recommends Waddy for a commission in the United States Army.

The bulk of the William D. Stuart papers consists of the Civil War papers (60 items; 1861-1863) of Stuart. The papers contain:

• Correspondence to and from various Confederate Army officers
• Morning and guard reports
• Military orders
• Invoices and receipts documenting Stuart's brief service with the 15th Virginia Infantry Regiment and his command of the 56th Virginia Infantry Regiment

The Archibald M. Fauntleroy papers consist of one testimonial letter (dated September 2, 1857) written by Superintendent Francis H. Smith on behalf of Fauntleroy, and one drawing by Cadet Fauntleroy that was completed for a class assignment at VMI.

This collection (seven items) consists of:

• A manuscript notebook compiled by Joseph H. Carpenter during his cadetship (1852-1856). The notebook contains poetry, class notes, autographs of classmates, and a detailed account of a Corps trip to Petersburg and Richmond, Virginia in October 1855.
• Two letters written by Carpenter to his father in 1862, including a letter dated June 16, 1862 that describes fighting near Port Republic, Virginia
• Letter of recommendation written on Carpenter's behalf by Brigadier General John Echols and submitted to Confederate President Jefferson Davis
• Two commission documents (1861)
• One letter (dated July 17, 1864) where Carpenter's Battery member Sergeant Benjamin Karnes describes circumstances surrounding the wounding of a fellow soldier. This letter was found among Carpenter's own papers.

The Charles P. Deyerle papers consist of the personal papers (12 items) from the career of Deyerle. Included are documents dating from his medical studies and his service in the United States Army, clippings, books, and notebooks.

The Mason G. Ellzey papers consist of 17 letters of recommendation written on behalf of Ellzey. Seven letters (1867) recommend him for a position at the University of Virginia. Ten letters (1872-1873) recommend him for a position at the Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College in Blacksburg (now Virginia Tech).

Includes Ledgers, vouchers, accounts, correspondence, and other financial records dating from the opening days of the Institute through the early 20th century. These records are a good source of information for tracing early purchases of goods and services; local Lexington and Rockbridge County businesses/artisans/craftsmen appear in vouchers.

Papers of British Engineer Otto A. Bley, consisting of a manuscript volume (77 pp.), 1898-1902, and 31 letters and certificates, 1892-1902. The manuscript volume served both as diary and account book and pertains to mining exploits in Oregon and Washington State, documenting also the preceding journey across the Prairies to Calgary, then to Banff and Lake Louise and finally to the mines. The letters and certificates provide details of Bley's employment and service on numerous vessels in the merchant navy.

This collection consists of two items related to Raleigh E. Colston. The first item is a letter of recommendation (dated July 7, 1866) written by General Robert E. Lee on behalf of Colston. The second item is a volume (appoximately 100 pages) titled "Report on the Northern and Central Kordofan" (Cairo: printing Office of the General Staff, 1878). Attached to this volume are photographs of Colston wearing his Egyptian Army uniform (circa 1878) and of Major H. G. Prout, Egyptian Army, and other reports (1876-1878).