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This collection consists of the Civil War papers (approximately 80 items) of Captain Richard H. Adams, Jr, including:

• A manuscript diary kept while serving with the 5th Alabama Regiment in Virginia (April-June 1862), with an accompanying typewritten transcription
• Transcriptions of two additional diary volumes (September 1862-March 1863; and prison diary, 1864-1865)
• Forty seven letters (November 1863-September 1866) to Lottie Putnam Adams, most written before their marriage while Adams was a prisoner of war
• Twenty three letters from Lottie to Richard (March 1864-January 1865)
• A typescript titled "Account of Wheeler's Raids," which was written after the Civil War
• "Friendship book" (March 1865) that contains inscriptions by fellow prisoners
• Two photographs of Adams
• Documents and clippings

The Clayton G. Coleman papers consist of three letters written to Coleman's sister Lucy during the Civil War, and an autograph album containing inscriptions written by his classmates at VMI, the University of Virginia, and the Medical College of Virginia (circa 1858-1861).

This collection consists of the diary of sixteen year old soldier Edward T. Beall, covering the period between September 1862 and October 1863. The diary contains very brief entries concerning regimental activities, such as miles marched and the location of camps. The volume begins with a short biographical sketch of Beall's early life. The volume also contains poetry/song, including "When This Cruel War is Over," "The Little Girl," and "Lieutenant General Jackson."

This collection consists of the one volume diary of Confederate soldier William J. Black. The diary entries date from October 1864 to January 1865, and were written while Black was serving in Captain John J. Shoemaker's Company, Virginia Horse Artillery. Included are brief accounts of various skirmishes, the Battle of Cedar Creek (Virginia), and campsites and positions that are recorded daily.

The collection consists of related to three members of the Fulkerson family: Samuel Vance Fulkerson (1822-1862), his brother Abram Fulkerson, Jr. (1834-1902), and Abram's son, Samuel Vance Fulkerson (1863-1926). Significant items include:

• Civil War correspondence (dated March-May 1862) written by Samuel V. Fulkerson (1822-1862)
• Samuel V. Fulkerson's (1822-1862) reports of the Battle of McDowell and the Battle of Winchester (dated May and June 1862)
• Wartime correspondence (dated 1863 and 1865) written by Abram Fulkerson, Jr. Two letters were written while he was a prisoner of war.
• A letter of appreciation (dated September 1862) written by General Stonewall Jackson following Samuel V. Fulkerson's (1822-1862) death in battle

• Battles of Port Republic and Kernstown
• Death of Turner Ashby
• Refugee and civilian life
• Camp life
• References to Stonewall Jackson, including Samuel V. Fulkerson's (1822-1862 assessment of his character and Abram Fulkerson, Jr.'s reflections following the Jackson's death

The bulk of the collection consists of letters written by James A. Harden to his sister, covering wartime events experienced by his unit as well as his time at Ft. Delaware, Delaware. The collection also includes one letter (dated June 6, 1861) written while Harden was at VMI and other items.

This collection consists of the Civil War papers of John Garibaldi. The bulk of the collection consists of 38 letters (dated 1861-1864) written by Garibaldi to his wife Sarah Garibaldi (Poor) during his service in the Confederate Army (27th Virginia Infantry Regiment). Primary topics include:

• Camp life
• The hardships of war for both soldiers and civilians
• Battles and skirmishes, including Chancellorsville (Virginia) and Gettysburg (Pennsylvania)
• Other members of the 27th Virginia Infantry Regiment
• Family news

This collection consists of one letter (dated May 12, 1863) written by Confederate soldier John P. Welsh to his wife and mother. Welsh, a staff officer, was in camp near Hamilton's Crossing after the Battle of Chancellorsville, Virginia and the letter mentions the death of Stonewall Jackson. Welsh was killed later that year.

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 May 17, 1864) from Confederate soldier Michael F. Rinker to his parents. The letter discusses the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House and mentions the Battle of New Market, Virginia.