Collections : [Virginia Military Institute Archives]

Virginia Military Institute Archives

Preston Library
Virginia Military Institute
345 Letcher Ave.
Lexington, VA 24450-0304
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
Phone: (540) 464-7566
Fax: (540) 464-7089
Start Over Repository Virginia Military Institute Archives Names Gilham, William, 1818-1872
Virginia Military Institute Archives

Charles A. Derby papers

0.25 cubic feet Approximately 80 items in 1 box

The bulk of the Charles A. Derby papers consists of Derby family correspondence. Approximately twenty-eight letters were written by Charles A. Derby (dated 1844-1862) and cover the period from late boyhood up to his death in battle in 1862. Included are letters (dated 1846-1847) written while he was a cadet at VMI, as well as correspondence dating from his careers as a teacher and Episcopal clergyman. Two items were written during his brief service in the Confederate Army.

Top 3 results view all 4

Charles A. Derby papers 4 Folder 3 folders of correspondence and 1 folder of writings 2 Files 2 files of oversized drawings

Charles A. Derby papers 0.25 cubic feet Approximately 80 items in 1 box

Derby, Charles A., 1828-1862

The bulk of the Charles A. Derby papers consists of Derby family correspondence. Approximately twenty-eight letters were written by Charles A. Derby (dated 1844-1862) and cover the period from late boyhood up to his death in battle in 1862. Included are letters (dated 1846-1847) written while he was a cadet at VMI, as well as correspondence dating from his careers as a teacher and Episcopal clergyman. Two items were written during his brief service in the Confederate Army.

Virginia Military Institute Archives

William D. Stuart papers

60 items 60 items in one box

The bulk of the William D. Stuart papers consists of the Civil War papers (60 items; 1861-1863) of Stuart. The papers contain:

  • Correspondence to and from various Confederate Army officers
  • Morning and guard reports
  • Military orders
  • Invoices and receipts documenting Stuart's brief service with the 15th Virginia Infantry Regiment and his command of the 56th Virginia Infantry Regiment
Other items include letters of recommendation for a United States Army Commission (1850), a letter from Gabriel Jordan, Jr. (VMI Class of 1850) dated November 1854, and printed material.

3 results

Letter from William Gilham to Colonel

Written from the Camp of Instruction, Richmond. Letter to an unidentified colonel regards the placement of William D. Stuart and other officers.

  1. Correspondence

William D. Stuart papers 60 items 60 items in one box

Stuart, William D. (William Dabney), 1830-1863

The bulk of the William D. Stuart papers consists of the Civil War papers (60 items; 1861-1863) of Stuart. The papers contain:

  • Correspondence to and from various Confederate Army officers
  • Morning and guard reports
  • Military orders
  • Invoices and receipts documenting Stuart's brief service with the 15th Virginia Infantry Regiment and his command of the 56th Virginia Infantry Regiment
Other items include letters of recommendation for a United States Army Commission (1850), a letter from Gabriel Jordan, Jr. (VMI Class of 1850) dated November 1854, and printed material.

Virginia Military Institute Archives

John F. Hanna diary

1 items

John F. Hanna's diary contains a colorful account of life at VMI and in Lexington, Virginia during the Spring of 1864. Entries begin April 17, 1864 and end May 9, 1864. On May 10, the cadets were called to active duty at the request of General John C. Breckinridge and on May 15 participated in the Battle of New Market, Virginia. The entries contain comments about VMI activities and people, Lexington social life, and discussion of personal concerns.

2 results

Diary

John F. Hanna's diary contains a colorful account of life at VMI and in Lexington, Virginia during the Spring of 1864. Entries begin April 17, 1864 and end May 9, 1864.

John F. Hanna diary 1 items

Hanna, John F. (John Francis), 1843-1885

John F. Hanna's diary contains a colorful account of life at VMI and in Lexington, Virginia during the Spring of 1864. Entries begin April 17, 1864 and end May 9, 1864. On May 10, the cadets were called to active duty at the request of General John C. Breckinridge and on May 15 participated in the Battle of New Market, Virginia. The entries contain comments about VMI activities and people, Lexington social life, and discussion of personal concerns.

Virginia Military Institute Archives

Records of Superintendent Francis H. Smith, 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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Faculty applications, 19th century 3 Linear Feet

Faculty applications, historical. Letters of application and supporting letters of recommendation submitted for several faculty and staff positions. Includes positions of Professor of Modern Languages, Physical Sciences, Steward, Quartermaster. This file only relates to a few specific positions. 1839-1860; 1884.

  1. Superintendent, Subject Files, 1839-1884 (Francis H. Smith)

Records of Superintendent Francis H. Smith, 1839-1889 30 Linear Feet

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

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.

Virginia Military Institute Archives

William Gilham papers

21 items

This collection consists of the papers (21 items) of 19th century VMI faculty member William Gilham, including:

  • Official Register of the Officers and Cadets of the U. S. Military Academy (June 1841)
  • A VMI weekly class report (circa 1860)
  • A dispatch signed by General Robert E. Lee
  • Correspondence, including a letter from Moses Ezekiel (VMI Class of 1866)
  • Photographs where the subjects are Robert E. Lee, Gilham and his wife, Libby Prison, and Richmond, Virginia during the Civil War
  • Invitations to social events in Lexington, Virginia from the McDowell Family

1 result

William Gilham papers 21 items

Gilham, William, 1818-1872

This collection consists of the papers (21 items) of 19th century VMI faculty member William Gilham, including:

  • Official Register of the Officers and Cadets of the U. S. Military Academy (June 1841)
  • A VMI weekly class report (circa 1860)
  • A dispatch signed by General Robert E. Lee
  • Correspondence, including a letter from Moses Ezekiel (VMI Class of 1866)
  • Photographs where the subjects are Robert E. Lee, Gilham and his wife, Libby Prison, and Richmond, Virginia during the Civil War
  • Invitations to social events in Lexington, Virginia from the McDowell Family

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