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This collection consists of one letter (dated December 22, 1863) from Alfred R. Gibbons to his father. The letter discusses the Corps of Cadets being called out on a march in response to Union Army troop movements and general aspects of cadet life.

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).

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.

This collection consists of correspondence from Carlton B. Shafer (VMI Class of 1864) to his family dated 1860 to 1865. Shafter details cadet life during this period and includes discussion of an impending Civil War and when the cadets were called to service in the Confederate States of America. The letters also discuss skirmishes happening around Leesburg, Virginia.

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 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.

This collection consists of one letter from Edmund Berkeley to his mother Mary Lawson Berkeley (Williams). Berkeley has been informed of his sister's death and offers consolation to his mother. He also gives VMI news and complains about the food (early reference to "growley" a VMI slang word used for mess hall food).

This collection consists of Morgan Family correspondence (12 items) during the Civil War. Included are eight letters (dated 1862-1864) to Cadet Patrick H. Morgan. Those from his father (dated 1863-1864), Joseph B. Morgan, contain news of Civil War civilian and home life in Currituck County, North Carolina. Specific topics include enemy raids for food and supplies, diphtheria, an uncle's death in battle, and the hardships of war. Other letters are from family friends and cousin John B. Wiginton.

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)