Search

This collection contains correspondence (1821-1849) to and from various members of the William M. Waller family of Amherst County, Virginia. The 1820s letters are largely from William M. Waller, Jr. to his wife, Sarah A. Waller (Garland). They were the parents of Cadet William M. Waller III, VMI Class of 1852. Later correspondence includes letters to Cadet Waller at VMI. The bulk of the correspondence pertains to family and business matters. This collection also includes Cadet Waller's appointment to VMI (1848).

The VMI historical appointment documents collection consists of notices of appointment sent to new cadets at VMI. The documents date from the 1840s into the 1900s. These are typically pre-printed forms on which the name, date, and other details are filled in by hand. They also include a list of supplies needed and information about expenses.

The Valentine C. Saunders papers consist of one letter from Cadet Saunders to his parents. This letter is the oldest extant letter written by a VMI cadet. Dated November 30, 1839, shortly after the first cadets arrived in Lexington, Virginia, the letter provides a cadet's view of the newly established Institute. Saunders describes the following:

• Arsenal
• Relationship with Washington College
• Method of instruction
• Course of studies
• An opinion (favorable) of Superintendent Francis H. Smith.

The Marshall McDonald papers (approximately 90 items) include primarily correspondence (1861-1892), notes, scientific reports, and documents. Among the correspondents are several VMI alumni and faculty members and Civil War officers, including:

• Scott Shipp
• Francis H. Smith
• Edward Cunningham
• Wilfred E. Cutshaw
• John W. Lyell
• James H. Morrison
• Mark B. Hardin
• Daniel W. Flowerree
• General Dabney H. Maury
• Hunter McGuire

Correspondence, 1840-1918, originating in the Superintendent's office, unrelated to any other records series. Primarily about purchases and business transactions, and miscellaneous file.

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

Historically significant subject files spanning the administrations of multiple Superintendents. These topical files cover various historical eras; topics include areas such as planning, programs, and events.

The Samuel Downing, Jr. papers consist of three items, including:

• One letter (November 17, 1859) from Downing to his father, in which he describes in detail a cadet trip to Norfolk, Virginia, including an interesting account of an uncomfortable canal boat journey
• One list of demerits (April to June 1860)
• One quarterly grade report (July 1860)

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.

This collection consists of one letter (dated May 1, 1856) from VMI's Superintendent Francis H. Smith to the mother of Cadet John J. Smith. The letter discusses Cadet Smith's religious awakening.