Collections

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 George A. Goodman papers consist of 11 items related to George A. Goodman, including:

• VMI Diploma and Cadet Dialectic Society certificates
• Letters of recommendation (1859) from Francis H. Smith and Thomas H. Williamson
• Civil War documents, including commissions, oaths of allegiance, and a prison parole

This collection consists of one letter (dated May 14, 1846) from James E. Tyler (VMI Class of 1845) to President James K. Polk. The letter requests a commission in the United States Army or Marine Corps. Tyler mentions recommendations from Francis H. Smith and John T.L. Preston, and states that he was an "inmate" of VMI for two years.

The James H. Reid papers consist of the Civil War correspondence (18 items) of Reid. Included are 14 letters (dated August-November 1862) from Reid to his parents written while he was a fourth classman at VMI. This correspondence contains many references to wartime cadet life, including the use of the term "rat" as a name for new cadets, hazing, uniforms, food, guard duty, and other aspects of life at VMI.

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

The James W. Breedlove papers consist of the personal papers (eight items) of Breedlove, including:

• Two letters (dated October 13, 1859 and March 11, 1861) from Breedlove to his grandfather in which he discusses his studies and expenses
• Two letters from Superintendent Francis H. Smith to Cadet Breedlove's grandfather, acknowledging receipt of money
• Three VMI quarterly grade reports
• One account sheet detailing VMI expenses

The Jaqueline Beverly Stanard papers (approximately 20 items) consist of letters from Cadet Stanard to his family (dated 1863 to 1864), a telegram concerning Stanard's body, letters from his brother Robert to their mother (dated 1865), and two essays written at VMI.

This collection consists of eight letters and one letter fragment from Cadet John B. Snodgrass to his sister Katherine (Kate) Snodgrass-Boyd. All letters are dated 1862 and written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. The primary topic is the Civil War and its effect on the Snodgrass family, with occasional references to VMI. Multiple letters (see April 19, May 1, May 18) mention that Corps of Cadets has been ordered to aid General Stonewall Jackson because he is "anxious to get a shot at the enemy."