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Start Over Date range 1872 Creator Smith, Francis H. (Francis Henney), 1812-1890
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.

Top 3 results view all 5

Correspondence, outgoing, 1839/1889 51 Volumes

The outgoing letterbooks (bound volumes) of VMI's first Superintendent Francis H. Smith, who served from 1839-1889. There are no outgoing letters from 1864 August 9-1865 October 30.

Francis H. Smith speeches and publications, 1841/1879 .5 Linear Feet

A chronological file containing originals and copies of Smith's published addresses, speeches, discourses. These were published in pamphlet form. VMI owns originals for many; for those not found in the VMI Archives, the staff obtained photocopies from the Library of Virginia.

Personal papers, 1833/1890 3 Linear Feet

Miscellaneous Francis H. Smith and Smith family personal records. Includes 2 volumes of personal letters written while on his trip to Europe in 1858, along with a scrapbook containing engravings of places visited; misc. personal correspondence, including one letter from Scott Shipp thanking Smith for his condolences upon the death of Shipp's wife.

  1. Personal and biographical material, 1858
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

Marshall McDonald papers, 1861/1892

0.5 Linear Feet approximately 90 items

The Marshall McDonald papers (approximately 90 items) include primarily correspondence (1861-1892), notes, scientific reports, and documents. Among the correspondents are several VMI alumni and faculty members and Civil War officers, including:

  • Scott Shipp
  • Francis H. Smith
  • Edward Cunningham
  • Wilfred E. Cutshaw
  • John W. Lyell
  • James H. Morrison
  • Mark B. Hardin
  • Daniel W. Flowerree
  • General Dabney H. Maury
  • Hunter McGuire
Correspondence topics include McDonald's service in the Engineer and Ordnance Deptartments, glimpses of Civil War and post-War life at VMI (in the Smith and Shipp letters), and McDonald's professional concerns.

1 result

Marshall McDonald papers, 1861/1892 0.5 Linear Feet approximately 90 items

McDonald, Marshall, 1835-1895

The Marshall McDonald papers (approximately 90 items) include primarily correspondence (1861-1892), notes, scientific reports, and documents. Among the correspondents are several VMI alumni and faculty members and Civil War officers, including:

  • Scott Shipp
  • Francis H. Smith
  • Edward Cunningham
  • Wilfred E. Cutshaw
  • John W. Lyell
  • James H. Morrison
  • Mark B. Hardin
  • Daniel W. Flowerree
  • General Dabney H. Maury
  • Hunter McGuire
Correspondence topics include McDonald's service in the Engineer and Ordnance Deptartments, glimpses of Civil War and post-War life at VMI (in the Smith and Shipp letters), and McDonald's professional concerns.

Virginia Military Institute Archives

Office of the Superintendent correspondence, 1840/1918

2 cubic feet

Correspondence, 1840-1918, originating in the Superintendent's office, unrelated to any other records series. Primarily about purchases and business transactions, and miscellaneous file.

2 results

Miscellaneous correspondence, 1840/1915 1 cubic feet

This box contains incoming and outgoing letters that do not fit in the larger correspondence series for the period, including:

Office of the Superintendent correspondence, 1840/1918 2 cubic feet

Smith, Francis H. (Francis Henney), 1812-1890

Correspondence, 1840-1918, originating in the Superintendent's office, unrelated to any other records series. Primarily about purchases and business transactions, and miscellaneous file.

Virginia Military Institute Archives

William H. Dudley papers, 1872/1873

2 items

The William H. Dudley papers consist of two documents reflecting 1870s VMI cadet life. The letter (dated October 5, 1872) is from cadet Dudley (Class of 1874) to his mother and contains references to various VMI routines, such as declamation and drill, as well as family information. A VMI quarterly report (October 1, 1873) includes class marks, account information, and comments by superintendent Francis H. Smith concerning demerits for conduct. Infractions include "laughing in ranks," "talking in church," and "late at roll call."

1 result

William H. Dudley papers, 1872/1873 2 items

Dudley, William H. (William Henry), 1856-1886

The William H. Dudley papers consist of two documents reflecting 1870s VMI cadet life. The letter (dated October 5, 1872) is from cadet Dudley (Class of 1874) to his mother and contains references to various VMI routines, such as declamation and drill, as well as family information. A VMI quarterly report (October 1, 1873) includes class marks, account information, and comments by superintendent Francis H. Smith concerning demerits for conduct. Infractions include "laughing in ranks," "talking in church," and "late at roll call."

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