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Start Over Date range 1860 Subjects Washington and Lee University—History
Virginia Military Institute Archives

Valentine C. Saunders papers, 1839/1866

2 items

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.
The papers also contain Saunders' copy of a published address by Francis H. Smith titled "The Inner Life of the VMI Cadet" (1866).

1 result

Valentine C. Saunders papers, 1839/1866 2 items

Saunders, Valentine C. (Valentine Cook), 1820-1894

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.
The papers also contain Saunders' copy of a published address by Francis H. Smith titled "The Inner Life of the VMI Cadet" (1866).

Virginia Military Institute Archives

Financial and business records, historical, 1839/1964

50 cubic feet

Includes Ledgers, vouchers, accounts, correspondence, and other financial records dating from the opening days of the Institute through the early 20th century. These records are a good source of information for tracing early purchases of goods and services; local Lexington and Rockbridge County businesses/artisans/craftsmen appear in vouchers.

Also contains subject files maintained by COL William Couper, who served as VMI Business Executive from the 1920's-the 1950's. These files, although unrelated to finance, contain information about many historical topics and were maintained in Couper's office.
1 result
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.

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Washington College, 1845/1860 1 Files

Washington College (now Washington and Lee University). Several items, 1845, concerning a complaint lodged by Washington College against VMI, which ultimately led to a severance of academic ties between the two institutions. Prof. George Dodd Armstrong represented the College on this issue. For a full account, see the book 100 Years at VMI (William Couper), vol. 1, pps. 139-147. The file also includes one unrelated document from 1860.

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

William G. Williamson papers, 1857/1898

0.10 cubic feet 1/2 document box

The William G. Williamson papers consist of the personal papers of Williamson. Included is an original manuscript Civil War notebook that contains:

  • Reports (September 1862-May 1863) submitted to the Chief Engineer's Office, Army of Northern Virginia, in which Williamson discusses destroying bridges at Harper's Ferry, West Virginia, and reconnaissance and mapping trips in the Shenandoah Valley and Piedmont
  • Poetry
  • Notes about architecture, engineering, and Williamson family genealogy
The papers also include correspondence and documents (1868-1898), Williamson's obituary, and a book owned by Williamson titled "Scott's Infantry Tactics" (Volume III, 1860 edition).

1 result

William G. Williamson papers, 1857/1898 0.10 cubic feet 1/2 document box

Williamson, William G. (William Garnett), 1840-1898

The William G. Williamson papers consist of the personal papers of Williamson. Included is an original manuscript Civil War notebook that contains:

  • Reports (September 1862-May 1863) submitted to the Chief Engineer's Office, Army of Northern Virginia, in which Williamson discusses destroying bridges at Harper's Ferry, West Virginia, and reconnaissance and mapping trips in the Shenandoah Valley and Piedmont
  • Poetry
  • Notes about architecture, engineering, and Williamson family genealogy
The papers also include correspondence and documents (1868-1898), Williamson's obituary, and a book owned by Williamson titled "Scott's Infantry Tactics" (Volume III, 1860 edition).

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