Collections : [Virginia Military Institute Archives]

This collection consists of items from the VMI cadetship of Alexander D. Exall, VMI Class of 1876, including:

• A cadet scrapbook that contains clippings and poetry
• An autograph album that contains inscriptions from classmates
• Three photographs of Cadet Exall
• The French/English dictionary he used at VMI

The Barton family papers consist of the papers of three members of the Barton family who attended VMI during the mid-19th century. Papers related to Charles M. Barton (VMI Class of 1856) include a letter (dated September 28, 1855) from Charles to his cousin Joseph M. Barton in which he complains about VMI life and about his instructor Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson (Jackson is described as a "hell of a fool"). Other Charles Barton material is found in a notebook (approximately 250 pages) that contains poetry copied by Charles, including "The Faculty of the VMI," which describes Francis H. Smith, John T.L. Preston, and other early faculty members; class notes from lectures given by Francis H. Smith; autographs of his VMI classmates, and a resolution on the death of Cadet Thomas Blackburn.

The material in this sub-series is related to the Biennial meeting and conference.

The Edward C. Shepherd papers consist of three notebooks, two documents, and an annotated analytical geometry text that belonged to VMI cadet Edward C. Shepherd during his years at VMI (1851-1855).

This collection (two items) consists of a notebook containing original poetry by Francis B. Clark, including "Natural Bridge," "To the Lee Family," and "Washington and Lee." The collection also contains one privately printed poem "The Irish Emigrant."

The Hardaway H. Dinwiddie papers consist of the personal papers (six items) of Dinwiddie, including:

• A calling card
• Poems about New Market Cadets
• A document titled "phrenological analysis" (1858)
• A manuscript of a VMI valedictory speech (1867)
• A VMI commencement program (1867)
• A certificate of withdrawal from Lexington's (Virginia) Masonic Lodge (1868)

This collection consists of one notebook compiled by VMI Cadet Howard Osburn. The notebook contains copied poetry, orders, and an anecdote concerning Benjamin F. Ficklin, VMI Class of 1849.

This collection consists of a notebook compiled by Cadet James A. Forsythe and a graduation bible. The notework contains copied poetry and company rosters. Forsythe's photograph album is also available in the VMI Archives.

The John L. Cochran papers consist of:

• One report card (1879) from the secondary school Cochran attended before entering VMI
• One letter (dated September 4, 1880) from Cochran to his mother
• One diary with sketches (1881) that contains short and sporadic entries made while at VMI
• Four volumes of class notes (1882-1885) taken while Cochran was a student at Swarthmore College (Pennsylvania) and the University of Virginia, with some examples of poetry and sketches interspersed

This collection consists of one student notebook owned by VMI Cadet John T. B. Cocke, VMI Class of 1890. The volume contains copied poetry, civil engineering class notes, and a list of roommates in Room 18 of Barracks, 1889-1890.