Collections : [Virginia Military Institute Archives]

Virginia Military Institute Archives

Preston Library
411 Letcher Avenue
Virginia Military Institute
Lexington, VA 24450
Primary Collecting Areas:
Military history, Civil War, Shenandoah Valley history, Stonewall Jackson Papers, genealogy
Description:
The VMI Archives include significant manuscript and Institute records holdings, with a focus on military history and the Civil War. Our extensive digital archives allow for easy online access to many of our collections.
POC: Jeffrey S. Kozak
Phone: (540) 464-7516
Start Over Repository Virginia Military Institute Archives Subjects Washington and Lee University—History
Virginia Military Institute Archives

John Sims papers, 1868/1871

17 items

This collection consists of 14 letters (dated 1868-1871) written by VMI Cadet John Sims (Class of 1871), to members of his family, a VMI quarterly grade report, and other documents. The correspondence provides rich details of cadet life during that era, as well as personal news. Sims mentions many leisure activities and comments on academic life and routine events. The letter dated October 17, 1870 mentions viewing the body of, and preparations for, the funeral of General Robert E. Lee.

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John Sims papers, 1868/1871 17 items

Sims, John, 1850-1909

This collection consists of 14 letters (dated 1868-1871) written by VMI Cadet John Sims (Class of 1871), to members of his family, a VMI quarterly grade report, and other documents. The correspondence provides rich details of cadet life during that era, as well as personal news. Sims mentions many leisure activities and comments on academic life and routine events. The letter dated October 17, 1870 mentions viewing the body of, and preparations for, the funeral of General Robert E. Lee.

Virginia Military Institute Archives

Robert E. Lee and Lee Family papers, 1779/1926

14 items

The Robert E. Lee and Lee Family papers consist of the personal papers of Robert E. Lee and Mary Custis Lee, including documents bearing their signatures. The papers also include one one letter (dated February 1926) from Mrs. William A. Anderson to Sydney B. Williamson that relates the history of a quilt made by Mary Custis Lee that was donated to the VMI Museum.

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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).

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Letter to Everitt Saunders and Susan Saunders (Bashaw), 1839

This letter from cadet Valentine C. Saunders to his parents 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.

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

Stonewall Jackson papers, 1844/1915

3 Linear Feet

The Stonewall Jackson papers consist primarily of the personal papers of Civil War General Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson (1824-1863). The bulk of the letters date from the pre-Civil War period and concern professional, personal, and domestic matters, including many in which Jackson writes about his religious faith, his concerns about health and diet, and his family.

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Virginia Military Institute Archives

Office of Communications and Marketing subject files, 1950

10 cubic feet
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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.
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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).

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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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