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The collection consists of items related to Charles M. Figgat, who embezzled over $145,000 from the Bank of Lexington, Virginia in 1895. Included is a reward notice distributed after Figgat fled, 10 cancelled checks from local banks (1870-1871) that bear Figgat's signature, and one petition to the Lexington school trustees endorsing Jacob Fuller for a teaching position, signed by Figgat and other citizens.

Virginia Military Institute printed circular, signed in ink by Superintendent Francis H. Smith, petitioning alumni for donations of "Curiousities, both literary and natural" to help establish a Museum at VMI. This examples is dated February 27, 1845, and addressed to William S. Beale, a member of the Class of 1843.

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).

Correspondence between Francis H. Smith, who became VMI's first Superintendent, and John T. L. Preston relating to the organization and opening of VMI. Includes four letters from Preston to Smith and one letter from Smith to Preston, in which he accepts the job offered by the Board of Visitors to serve as Superintendent (originally called Principal Professor). One related letter is from Francis H. Smith to William Atkinson or Atkison, in which Smith asks for advice about VMI's job offer.

This sub-group includes incoming and outgoing correspondence of the Virginia Military Institute Board of Visitors or correspondence related to BOV business. Includes correspondence files for some historical individual members of the Board.

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.

This collection (20 items) consists of correspondence, the bulk (1864-1899) of which was written by Mark B. Hardin to his siblings, Susan Lane Hardin (1850-1899) and John Haywood Hardin (1853-1932). In addition to family and personal news, the letters touch on various aspects of Hardin's career.

The Valentine C. Saunders papers consist of one letter from Cadet Saunders to his parents. This letter is the oldest extant letter written by a VMI cadet. Dated November 30, 1839, shortly after the first cadets arrived in Lexington, Virginia, the letter provides a cadet's view of the newly established Institute. Saunders describes the following:

• Arsenal
• Relationship with Washington College
• Method of instruction
• Course of studies
• An opinion (favorable) of Superintendent Francis H. Smith.

This collection consists of two letters from Washington College (now Washington and Lee) student Alexander S. Brown to his sister, dated September 20, 1846 and September 7, 1848. The 1846 letter mentions the Cincinnati military class, in which Washington College students participated in military training conducted by VMI staff. The 1848 letter expresses Brown's dissatisfaction with Washington College and a desire to transfer to another school.

This collection consists of one letter (dated November 24, 1842) from Cadet James D. Saunders to his cousin John Mitchell. Saunders describes the hardships of cadet life, the dullness of Lexington, Virginia, VMI's 3rd anniversary (Founders Day) celebration, a storm damaging the North wall of barracks, and mentions Edward C. Carrington, Jr. (VMI Class of 1844). This is one of the earliest extant cadet personal letters.