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This collection (six items) consists of the papers of Confederate General John D. Imboden, including:

• A letter (dated circa 1863) that concerns the subpoena of witnesses for the trial of a man accused of collaborating with the Union
• A letter (dated June 21, 1889) to Colonel Abram Fulkerson pertaining to donation of Lieutenant Colonel W. S. Lincoln's field glasses to VMI
• Post-Civil War documents that pertain to various personal and business matters

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.

The John M. Cary papers consist of the papers (three items) of Cary, including:

• Appointment to a state cadetship at VMI (July 1845)
• Letter from Cary to VMI Superintendent Francis H. Smith (July 8, 1845)
• Letter of recommendation by VMI Board of Visitors member William H. Terrill, September 29, 1849). Cary had served as a tutor for Terrill's children.

This collection consists of one letter (dated September 18, 1847) from VMI Superintendent Francis H. Smith to General E. C. Carrington. The letter recommends a United States Army commission for John P. Bowyer. Bowyer had volunteered for service in the Mexican War, in which he subsequently served.

This collection consists of one letter of recommendation (dated October 27, 1856) written by VMI Superintendent Francis H. Smith on behalf of John R. Waddy. In the letter Smith recommends Waddy for a commission in the United States Army.

The John S. Bagnall papers consist of the personal papers (seven items) of Bagnall. Included are two letters (dated 1921) from Eliza Clinedinst Crim, the New Market resident who came to the assistance of wounded cadets after the Battle of New Market. The letter of April 20 mentions cadet Moses J. Ezekiel caring for the mortally wounded cadet Thomas G. Jefferson. The papers also include an 1862 VMI grade report, two receipts for payment of tuition and diploma, and an envelope containing two of Bagnall's calling cards.

Correspondence between Francis H. Smith, who became VMI's first Superintendent, and John T. L. Preston relating to the organization and opening of VMI. Includes four letters from Preston to Smith and one letter from Smith to Preston, in which he accepts the job offered by the Board of Visitors to serve as Superintendent (originally called Principal Professor). One related letter is from Francis H. Smith to William Atkinson or Atkison, in which Smith asks for advice about VMI's job offer.

The John T. L. Preston papers consist of the personal papers of Preston, including:

• A farm account book (1834-1887)
• Bills
• Deeds
• Memoranda
• Receipts
• Correspondence
• A photocopy and transcription of Preston's Civil War journal ("Jottings"), which dates from his military service at Craney Island, Virginia from late July to October 1861. The original journal is held by the Library of Congress.
• Preston's United States passport (May 1851)
• Franklin Society membership certificate (1851)
• A typescript "brief historical sketch" of VMI written as a speech for the Institute's semi-centennial celebration in 1889 (the typescript contains handwritten corrections in ink; Preston's son delivered the address on behalf of his father).

The Joseph H. Chenoweth papers consist of letters (dated 1855 to 1861) written by Chenoweth to his parents Lemuel Chenoweth and Nancy A. Hart. Letters dating from his cadetship cover topics such as exams, trips, and demerits, and provide a good portrait of pre-Civil War cadet life.

The Samuel F. Atwill papers consist of two letters (dated 1862) written by Cadet Atwill to his parents that relate anecdotes about life at VMI. The papers also include one letter (dated July 1864) from Superintendent Francis H. Smith that notifies the Atwill family of Cadet Atwill's death, and a fragment of Atwill's cadet account book.