Collections

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).

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.

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.

This collection consists of the message book and diary (in one volume) kept by Charles C. Phillips during the period between April 24, 1864 and July 13, 1864. The diary details Signal Corps activities during this period, and mentions seeing VMI cadets at Hanover Junction on May 23, 1864 (including his brother Samuel Travers Phillips) where they stopped on their way to Richmond, Virginia after the Battle of New Market, Virginia on May 15.

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.

Bound and unbound historical records documenting the operation of the Commandant's office and of the Corps of Cadets. The earliest examples date from 1839, the first year of the Institute. Items include: guard records, morning reports, demerit books, inspection books, permit books, muster rolls, record of events, penalty tour and confinement records, Commandant orders and memoranda, World War I Training Camp (1917-1918), ordnance stores (1858, 1861), George C. Marshall signed amnesty document, Scott Shipp correspondence

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).

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 two letters from Cadet James L. Merritt to his father. The letter dated November 24, 1863 discusses school expenses, mentions the Corps being called to defend against Averell's raids, and reports dissatisfaction with VMI (complains of hunger, gets " beef, irish potatoes, milk" only).