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Virginia Military Institute Archives

Records of Superintendent Francis H. Smith, 1839-1889

30 Linear Feet

These files constitute the major record series generated by the office of Francis H. Smith, VMI's first Superintendent. He served from 1839-1889. The records, (ca. 30 linear feet) consist of incoming and outgoing correspondence, order books, speeches and publications, annual reports, personal file, and subject files.

1 result

Francis H. Smith speeches and publications .5 Linear Feet

A chronological file containing originals and copies of Smith's published addresses, speeches, discourses. These were published in pamphlet form. VMI owns originals for many; for those not found in the VMI Archives, the staff obtained photocopies from the Library of Virginia.

Virginia Military Institute Archives

John E. Roller papers

0.50 cubic feet approximately 40 items

The John E. Roller papers include:

  • Civil War era letters from cadet friends concerning life at VMI
  • Civil War dispatches and telegrams that date from Roller's service with the Confederate States of America engineers, including one document signed by General Robert E. Lee
  • One scrapbook (circa 1910) that contains clippings about Civil War battles, veterans, unit reunions, monument dedications, and other related information
  • Two photographs, one of Confederate soldier Lieutenant Colonel Samuel T. Walker (10th Virginia Infantry Regiment) and one of the Virginia Legislature Centennial Committee (1871)
  • Holograph text of a cadet literary-debating society speech delivered by Cadet Norwood B. Randolph in 1870
  • Other items

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John E. Roller papers 0.50 cubic feet approximately 40 items

Roller, John E. (John Edwin), 1844-1917

The John E. Roller papers include:

  • Civil War era letters from cadet friends concerning life at VMI
  • Civil War dispatches and telegrams that date from Roller's service with the Confederate States of America engineers, including one document signed by General Robert E. Lee
  • One scrapbook (circa 1910) that contains clippings about Civil War battles, veterans, unit reunions, monument dedications, and other related information
  • Two photographs, one of Confederate soldier Lieutenant Colonel Samuel T. Walker (10th Virginia Infantry Regiment) and one of the Virginia Legislature Centennial Committee (1871)
  • Holograph text of a cadet literary-debating society speech delivered by Cadet Norwood B. Randolph in 1870
  • Other items

Virginia Military Institute Archives

John T. L. Preston papers

0.69 cubic feet 1 2.5-inch legal document box and 1 5-inch legal document box

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).
The majority of the papers relate to Preston's personal, financial, and property (land) transactions and do not involve his work at VMI.

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John T. L. Preston papers 0.69 cubic feet 1 2.5-inch legal document box and 1 5-inch legal document box

Preston, John T. L. (John Thomas Lewis), 1811-1890

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).
The majority of the papers relate to Preston's personal, financial, and property (land) transactions and do not involve his work at VMI.

Virginia Military Institute Archives

Speeches and addresses delivered at VMI

2 cubic feet

A topical and chronological file of pamplets containing the text of speeches and addresses delivered at VMI.

1 result

Speeches and addresses delivered at VMI 2 cubic feet

A topical and chronological file of pamplets containing the text of speeches and addresses delivered at VMI.

Virginia Military Institute Archives

Valentine C. Saunders papers

2 items

The Valentine C. Saunders papers consist of one letter from Cadet Saunders to his parents. This letter is the oldest extant letter written by a VMI cadet. Dated November 30, 1839, shortly after the first cadets arrived in Lexington, Virginia, the letter provides a cadet's view of the newly established Institute. Saunders describes the following:

  • Arsenal
  • Relationship with Washington College
  • Method of instruction
  • Course of studies
  • An opinion (favorable) of Superintendent Francis H. Smith.
The papers also contain Saunders' copy of a published address by Francis H. Smith titled "The Inner Life of the VMI Cadet" (1866).

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Valentine C. Saunders papers 2 items

Saunders, Valentine C. (Valentine Cook), 1820-1894

The Valentine C. Saunders papers consist of one letter from Cadet Saunders to his parents. This letter is the oldest extant letter written by a VMI cadet. Dated November 30, 1839, shortly after the first cadets arrived in Lexington, Virginia, the letter provides a cadet's view of the newly established Institute. Saunders describes the following:

  • Arsenal
  • Relationship with Washington College
  • Method of instruction
  • Course of studies
  • An opinion (favorable) of Superintendent Francis H. Smith.
The papers also contain Saunders' copy of a published address by Francis H. Smith titled "The Inner Life of the VMI Cadet" (1866).

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