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The bulk of the Andrew C. L. Gatewood papers consist of 28 letters (dated 1860-1864) written by Gatewood to his parents and other family members. Early letters describe life at VMI and in Lexington, Virginia, just prior to and during early months of the Civil War. Subsequent letters date from Gatewood's service with the 11th Virginia Cavalry Regiment, Company F (Bath Squadron), including a letter (dated September 1862) written after the Second Battle of Manassas (2nd Bull Run).

This collection consists of correspondence, photographs, and documents of R. Henry Campbell and members of the Varner Family of Lexington, Virginia. The families are related through the marriage of Campbell's sister, Augusta, to Varner.

Charles T. Haigh papers consist of a one volume diary and notebook kept by VMI cadet Charles T. Haigh between 1862 and 1864. The volume provides insight into the life and concerns of a VMI cadet during the Civil War. It primarily contains poetry written by his classmates, as well as poetry by Sara Henderson Smith, the wife of VMI Superintendent, Francis H. Smith. The diary portion contains sparse entries for the period between March and May 1863. Included are occasional references to wartime cadet life, as well as a brief account of Stonewall Jackson's wounding, death, and funeral in May 1863. There is one brief entry written from Fayetteville, North Carolina on March 23, 1864.

This collection consists of a digital transcription of J. O. Humphreys' Civil War diary (April-July 1864). Private Humphreys was among the Union soldiers who briefly occupied Lexington, Virginia in June 1864, an event known locally as Hunter's Raid. The Union forces, led by General David Hunter, destroyed several VMI buildings, as well as much of the cadet library and laboratory equipment.

John F. Hanna's diary contains a colorful account of life at VMI and in Lexington, Virginia during the Spring of 1864. Entries begin April 17, 1864 and end May 9, 1864. On May 10, the cadets were called to active duty at the request of General John C. Breckinridge and on May 15 participated in the Battle of New Market, Virginia. The entries contain comments about VMI activities and people, Lexington social life, and discussion of personal concerns.

The John T. L. Preston papers consist of the personal papers of Preston, including:

• A farm account book (1834-1887)
• Bills
• Deeds
• Memoranda
• Receipts
• Correspondence
• A photocopy and transcription of Preston's Civil War journal ("Jottings"), which dates from his military service at Craney Island, Virginia from late July to October 1861. The original journal is held by the Library of Congress.
• Preston's United States passport (May 1851)
• Franklin Society membership certificate (1851)
• A typescript "brief historical sketch" of VMI written as a speech for the Institute's semi-centennial celebration in 1889 (the typescript contains handwritten corrections in ink; Preston's son delivered the address on behalf of his father).

This collection consists of one letter (dated June 14, 1864) from Sidney Marlin, a Union soldier (United States Army Signal Corps), to his wife Sallie [Sarah]. The letter was written from Lexington, Virginia, where Union forces were camped during Hunter's Raid. Marlin describes VMI, and comments on the destruction of VMI and Governor John Letcher's property.

The Samuel F. Atwill papers consist of two letters (dated 1862) written by Cadet Atwill to his parents that relate anecdotes about life at VMI. The papers also include one letter (dated July 1864) from Superintendent Francis H. Smith that notifies the Atwill family of Cadet Atwill's death, and a fragment of Atwill's cadet account book.

This collection contains three manuscript notebooks that include verse letters, poetry, notes, and a few newspaper clippings (bulk 1861-1865). One of the volumes is titled "Order Book, 9th Regiment Va. Volunteers, Craney Island." On the endsheets of this book are glued original manuscript signatures of VMI faculty and others, likely clipped from letters. The pages of this volume contain Sara Henderson Smith's writings.

This collection consists of the three volume Civil War era diary of Union soldier Uri (possibly Uriah) B. Scofield who served with the 18th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry Regiment. The diary entries are not detailed, although some information about regimental activities is provided. Volume I (1864) includes the unit's march through the Shenandoah Valley and mentions the burning of the VMI in June 1864.