Collections

Charles T. Haigh papers consist of a one volume diary and notebook kept by VMI cadet Charles T. Haigh between 1862 and 1864. The volume provides insight into the life and concerns of a VMI cadet during the Civil War. It primarily contains poetry written by his classmates, as well as poetry by Sara Henderson Smith, the wife of VMI Superintendent, Francis H. Smith. The diary portion contains sparse entries for the period between March and May 1863. Included are occasional references to wartime cadet life, as well as a brief account of Stonewall Jackson's wounding, death, and funeral in May 1863. There is one brief entry written from Fayetteville, North Carolina on March 23, 1864.

The John F. Early papers consist of the letters and diary of cadet John F. Early (1830-1894), who attended VMI from 1848 to 1850. The one volume diary-notebook contains short and sporadic entries regarding daily routines and special events. The diary contains one of the earliest references to Superintendent Francis H. Smith as "Spex" (April 30, 1850). The diary also contains lists of cadets, room occupants, and the poetry of Sara Henderson Smith ("The Old Gray Coat") and others. The five letters were written to family members and include details of cadet life and family and personal news.

This collection consists of one notebook (approximately 145 pages) created by Philip C. Gibbs that reflects cadet life from 1848 to 1851. The notebook includes:

• Accounts of Corps of Cadets trips to Richmond, Petersburg, Norfolk and Rockbridge Alum Springs, Virginia
• Cadet poetry and essays
• Poetry by Sara Henderson Smith
• Addresses delivered before the Cadet Dialectic Society (a literary and debating society)
• Discussion of exams (1851) in English and natural philosophy
• Account of "An Oyster Supper---A Frolic After Taps"
• Account of "our last bible recitation" in which Gibbs describes the last session of his cadetship with Superintendent Francis H. Smith

This collection contains three manuscript notebooks that include verse letters, poetry, notes, and a few newspaper clippings (bulk 1861-1865). One of the volumes is titled "Order Book, 9th Regiment Va. Volunteers, Craney Island." On the endsheets of this book are glued original manuscript signatures of VMI faculty and others, likely clipped from letters. The pages of this volume contain Sara Henderson Smith's writings.

The Thomas J. Nottingham papers consist of the diary (dated 1883-1885) written by VMI cadet Thomas J. Nottingham. It contains a consistent record of the daily cadet routine as it existed during the mid-1880s and is an excellent source for information about student life during that era. Included are specific references to the following:

• Recitations
• Fights
• Dress parade
• The Dialectic Society (a student debating society)
• YMCA
• Girls
• Baseball and football games with Washington College students ("minks")
• Death and funeral of John D. Letcher
• Destruction of the VMI arsenal
• Death of Henry W. Williamson (VMI Class of 1845 and staff member)
• Death of Sara Henderson Smith

This collection consists of a one volume notebook compiled in 1862 by VMI cadet William J. Hubard. The bulk of the volume contains poetry and mementos. There are also two diary entries. The poetry includes "The Six Plebes" and "The Old Gray Coat" by Sara Henderson Smith, and several poems attributed to cadets Edward A. Rhodes, John F. Hanna, and Benjamin F. Bishop. Subjects of the verses are VMI life and regulations, including many references to faculty members (e.g., Francis H. Smith, Raleigh Colston, John T. L. Preston, William Gilham, Thomas H. Williamson, and Stonewall Jackson). Poetry composed by cadets, includes "Soliloquy of a Rat," "Examination," "The Faculty," "The Rat's Dream," and other poems about cadet life. Mementos consist of autographs and dried pressed leaves presented to Hubard by young ladies. One sprig of cedar is labelled as being from Stonewall Jackson's coffin.