Collections : [Virginia Military Institute Archives]

The collection consists of related to three members of the Fulkerson family: Samuel Vance Fulkerson (1822-1862), his brother Abram Fulkerson, Jr. (1834-1902), and Abram's son, Samuel Vance Fulkerson (1863-1926). Significant items include:

• Civil War correspondence (dated March-May 1862) written by Samuel V. Fulkerson (1822-1862)
• Samuel V. Fulkerson's (1822-1862) reports of the Battle of McDowell and the Battle of Winchester (dated May and June 1862)
• Wartime correspondence (dated 1863 and 1865) written by Abram Fulkerson, Jr. Two letters were written while he was a prisoner of war.
• A letter of appreciation (dated September 1862) written by General Stonewall Jackson following Samuel V. Fulkerson's (1822-1862) death in battle

• Battles of Port Republic and Kernstown
• Death of Turner Ashby
• Refugee and civilian life
• Camp life
• References to Stonewall Jackson, including Samuel V. Fulkerson's (1822-1862 assessment of his character and Abram Fulkerson, Jr.'s reflections following the Jackson's death

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 consists of 27 architectural drawings by Alexander Jackson Davis executed for VMI between 1859 and 1870. Included are designs for barracks, the Superintendent's residence, and faculty residences. The bulk of the drawings are ink and wash plans.

This collection (nine items) consists of Alexander S. Pendleton's Civil War papers, including:

• Military orders and dispatches directed to General Richard S. Ewell and others
• A note from Pendleton to his father concerning the death of General Stonewall Jackson in May 1863
• A request for a leave of absence
• Correspondence

This collection consists of one letter (dated December 22, 1863) from Alfred R. Gibbons to his father. The letter discusses the Corps of Cadets being called out on a march in response to Union Army troop movements and general aspects of cadet life.

This collection consists of certificates, citations, commissions, and similar documentation associated with VMI alumni, faculty, staff, or VMI as a whole. The collection does not include VMI diplomas or literary society certificates, which are filed separately.

The VMI Alumni Association is a private organization affiliated with VMI; the VMI Archives does not house the records of the Association. However, the Archives does preserve printed material, publications created by the Association, some Class reunion material, and related material (e.g. photograph collection from the office of the Alumni Review), and miscellaneous subject files on topics of general interest. This collection also includes some historical minutes of the Association.

This collection consists of one letter (dated October 17, 1863,) from Confederate cavalry soldier A. (possibly Andrew) Meyer, written from Headquarters, Department of East Tennessee, Abingdon, Virginia. The letter is addressed to Mrs. Mary Taylor Fulton, the widow of the Reverend Creed Fulton and the mother of VMI New Market Cadet Charles M. Fulton (VMI Class of 1867). The letter concerns Meyer's request to leave his horse on the Fulton farm until spring. He also briefly mentions the campaign in Tennessee.

The bulk of the Andrew C. L. Gatewood papers consist of 28 letters (dated 1860-1864) written by Gatewood to his parents and other family members. Early letters describe life at VMI and in Lexington, Virginia, just prior to and during early months of the Civil War. Subsequent letters date from Gatewood's service with the 11th Virginia Cavalry Regiment, Company F (Bath Squadron), including a letter (dated September 1862) written after the Second Battle of Manassas (2nd Bull Run).

This collection consists of Civil War correspondence (three items) from Confederate soldier Andrew J. McCoy to his sister Martha written while he was serving with the 25th Virginia Infantry Regiment. The letters primarily concern family matters, camp hardships, and personal news, and provide insight into the life and thoughts of an ordinary soldier.