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Start Over Date range 1856 Subjects Virginia Military Institute—Faculty
Virginia Military Institute Archives

Records of Superintendent Francis H. Smith, 1839-1889, 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

Academic departments, annual reports, 1843/1899 .50 Linear Feet

A chronological file, 1843-1848; 1865-1899, containing examples of academic department annual reports from the 19th century. These reports from the various academic departments were submitted to the Superintendent and help to document the early academic history of the Institute. This file includes early reports by John T. L. Preston (Languages), and Thomas H. Williamson (Engineering), as well as reports by other early faculty members. The series has many gaps; for example, none from the 1850's. The reports reflect some subjects that are no longer taught, e.g., Latin, drawing, mineralogy. 1 box

  1. Subject files, 1839/1884
Virginia Military Institute Archives

James H. Waddell papers, 1855/1879

4 items

The James H. Waddell papers consist of four items, including:

  • A letter (dated 1855) from Waddell to his sister that contains a detailed description and pencil drawing of his room (#14) in barracks and of his roomates (Barksdale, Penn, Magruder, Shepherd, and Wilson)
  • A drawing of a barracks room and roommates
  • Pencil map, 8 inches x 10 inches, labeled "Plan of Battle of Bethel Church, June 10, 1861"
  • Letter of recommendation (dated 1879) written by VMI's Superintendent Francis H. Smith and endorsed by Board of Visitors President John Letcher

1 result

James H. Waddell papers, 1855/1879 4 items

Waddell, James H. (James Henry), 1833-1884

The James H. Waddell papers consist of four items, including:

  • A letter (dated 1855) from Waddell to his sister that contains a detailed description and pencil drawing of his room (#14) in barracks and of his roomates (Barksdale, Penn, Magruder, Shepherd, and Wilson)
  • A drawing of a barracks room and roommates
  • Pencil map, 8 inches x 10 inches, labeled "Plan of Battle of Bethel Church, June 10, 1861"
  • Letter of recommendation (dated 1879) written by VMI's Superintendent Francis H. Smith and endorsed by Board of Visitors President John Letcher

Virginia Military Institute Archives

William Gilham papers, 1846/1861

21 items

This collection consists of the papers (21 items) of 19th century VMI faculty member William Gilham, including:

  • Official Register of the Officers and Cadets of the U. S. Military Academy (June 1841)
  • A VMI weekly class report (circa 1860)
  • A dispatch signed by General Robert E. Lee
  • Correspondence, including a letter from Moses Ezekiel (VMI Class of 1866)
  • Photographs where the subjects are Robert E. Lee, Gilham and his wife, Libby Prison, and Richmond, Virginia during the Civil War
  • Invitations to social events in Lexington, Virginia from the McDowell Family

1 result

William Gilham papers, 1846/1861 21 items

Gilham, William, 1818-1872

This collection consists of the papers (21 items) of 19th century VMI faculty member William Gilham, including:

  • Official Register of the Officers and Cadets of the U. S. Military Academy (June 1841)
  • A VMI weekly class report (circa 1860)
  • A dispatch signed by General Robert E. Lee
  • Correspondence, including a letter from Moses Ezekiel (VMI Class of 1866)
  • Photographs where the subjects are Robert E. Lee, Gilham and his wife, Libby Prison, and Richmond, Virginia during the Civil War
  • Invitations to social events in Lexington, Virginia from the McDowell Family

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