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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."

Strange's letter to his sister Anne M. Strange was written just a few months after the Institute's opening day, and is one of the oldest personal cadet letters still in existence. Strange mentions several aspects of cadet life that were common during the pre-Civil War era, including that:

• Final examinations were given orally rather than as written tests, presided over by faculty and the VMI Board of Visitors, and open to the public
• Summer furlough was not automatic, and many cadets stayed at the Institute throughout the year, going into a summer encampment on the Parade Ground from late June until the beginning of the next academic session
• Obtaining extra clothing and other goods from home was a serious matter to most cadets

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 E. Roller papers include:

• Civil War era letters from cadet friends concerning life at VMI
• Civil War dispatches and telegrams that date from Roller's service with the Confederate States of America engineers, including one document signed by General Robert E. Lee
• One scrapbook (circa 1910) that contains clippings about Civil War battles, veterans, unit reunions, monument dedications, and other related information
• Two photographs, one of Confederate soldier Lieutenant Colonel Samuel T. Walker (10th Virginia Infantry Regiment) and one of the Virginia Legislature Centennial Committee (1871)
• Holograph text of a cadet literary-debating society speech delivered by Cadet Norwood B. Randolph in 1870
• Other items

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.