PUBLIC"-//Virginia Military Institute::Preston Library::SpecialCollections and Archives//TEXT (US::ViLxV::vilxv00001::AGuide to the Andrew C. L. Gatewood Papers)//EN""vilxv00001.xml"A Guide to the Andrew C.L. Gatewood papers, 1860-1993 MS.0068VMI Archives Staff, April 1979; revised April 2024Virginia Military Institute Archives

VMI ArchivesPreston LibraryLexington, VA 24450Business Number: 540-464-7516archives@vmi.eduURL:

This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2026-05-12 03:02:19 -0400.Description is in EnglishDescribing Archives: A Content Standard Virginia Military Institute Archives Andrew C. L. Gatewood papers Gatewood, Andrew C. L. (Andrew Cameron Lewis), 1843-1919 Dunlap, John M., Jr. (John McKee), 1917-? MS.0068 /repositories/3/resources/582 35 items 1860-1993 Manuscripts stacks English Scope and Contents

The bulk of the Andrew C. L. Gatewood papers consist of 28 letters (dated 1860-1864) written by Gatewood to his parents and other family members. Early letters describe life at VMI and in Lexington, Virginia, just prior to and during early months of the Civil War. Subsequent letters date from Gatewood's service with the 11th Virginia Cavalry Regiment, Company F (Bath Squadron), including a letter (dated September 1862) written after the Second Battle of Manassas (2nd Bull Run).

The papers also include a "History of the Bath Squadron," consisting of a manuscript fragment, copies of a series of published newspaper articles concerning the unit, and an edited transcription, publications concerning Confederate veteran reunions, and Gatewood's VMI cadet account book.

Biographical / Historical

Andrew Cameron Lewis Gatewood was born at Mountain Grove, Bath County, Virginia, on June 30, 1843 to Samuel Vance Gatewood (1810-1861) and Eugenia Sophia Massie (1819-1884). He entered the VMI in July 1860, where he served as a cadet until the outbreak of the Civil War in April 1861. On April 16, 1861, he accompanied the Corps of Cadets to Richmond, Virginia where he served as a drillmaster to new Confederate recruits. Gatewood subsequently served in the same capacity under General Robert S. Garnett at Laurel Hill, Barbour County, West Virginia. He joined the 11th Virginia Cavalry Regiment in March 1862 and was elected 2nd Lieutenant, "F" Company (Bath Squadron). He served in this unit until the end of the War.

At the close of the Civil War, Gatewood returned to Bath County. His father had died suddenly in 1861 without leaving a will, and as the oldest son, he took on responsibility for his family's affairs. He married his childhood sweetheart, Mary Skillern Warwick (1845-1922) in 1869 and the couple had seven children: William Beale, Eugene Samuel, Massie Cameron, Andrew Warwick, Mary Preston, Eliza Pleasants, and one child who died in infancy. The couple moved to Big Spring, Pocahontas County, West Virginia in 1877 where Gatewood spent the remainder of his life working as a farmer and stock raiser. He died on July 31, 1919.

Online Access

A bulk of the Andrew C. L. Gatewood papers are avaliable online.

A photograph of Gatewood is also avaliable online.

Conditions Governing Access

There are no restrictions.

Conditions Governing Use

Manuscript collections in the VMI Archives are made available for educational and research use. The VMI Archives should be cited as the source. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright holders. Materials from our collections may not be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives. Contact the VMI Archives for additional information.

Preferred Citation

Andrew C. L. Gatewood papers, 1860-1993. MS 0068. VMI Archives, Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Virginia.

Immediate Source of Acquisition Virginia Military Institute—Cadet life—1860-1869 Confederate States of America. Army—Virginia Cavalry Regiment, 11th Bull Run, 2nd Battle of, Va., 1862 Soldiers—Virginia—Correspondence Lexington (Va.)—History—Civil War, 1861-1865 Virginia Military Institute—Civil War, 1861-1865 Virginia Military Institute—Class of 1864 Correspondence Account Books Manuscripts Clippings United States—History—Civil War, 1861-1865—Personal narratives—Confederate Correspondence/repositories/3/archival_objects/50985 Folder5 folders by year1860-1864EnglishCorrespondence/repositories/3/archival_objects/2796 items1860EnglishLetter to Samuel V. Gatewood and Eugenia S. Gatewood (Massie)/repositories/3/archival_objects/2851860 August 4EnglishScope and Contents

Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards initiation of new cadets, early reference to term "rat" as a name for a new cadet, complaints of homesickness, and comments on living in camp.

Virginia Military Institute—Class of 1864Virginia Military Institute—Cadet life—1860-1869CorrespondenceLetter to Samuel V. Gatewood and Eugenia S. Gatewood (Massie)/repositories/3/archival_objects/2861860 August 25EnglishScope and Contents

Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter describes daily routine of cadets, life in camp, and difficulty of studies.

Virginia Military Institute—Cadet life—1860-1869Virginia Military Institute—Class of 1864CorrespondenceLetter to Samuel V. Gatewood and Eugenia S. Gatewood (Massie)/repositories/3/archival_objects/2871860 September 1EnglishScope and Contents

Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter describes dismantling summer camp and moving into barracks.

Virginia Military Institute—Cadet life—1860-1869CorrespondenceVirginia Military Institute—Class of 1864Letter to Samuel V. Gatewood/repositories/3/archival_objects/2881860 September 20EnglishScope and Contents

Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter discusses family matters, including court summons.

Virginia Military Institute—Class of 1864CorrespondenceVirginia Military Institute—Cadet life—1860-1869Letter to Samuel V. Gatewood and Eugenia S. Gatewood (Massie)/repositories/3/archival_objects/2891860 December 22EnglishScope and Contents

Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter discusses examinations, Christmas at VMI, and the secession of South Carolina.

SecessionCorrespondenceVirginia Military Institute—Class of 1864Virginia Military Institute—Cadet life—1860-1869Virginia—History—Civil War, 1861-1865Letter to William B. Gatewood/repositories/3/archival_objects/2901860 December 22EnglishScope and Contents

Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter mentions examinations and the secession of South Carolina.

Virginia Military Institute—Class of 1864Virginia Military Institute—Cadet life—1860-1869Virginia Military Institute—Academics—History—19th centuryCorrespondenceVirginia—History—Civil War, 1861-1865SecessionCorrespondence/repositories/3/archival_objects/2805 items1861 January-MarchEnglishLetter to Samuel V. Gatewood and Eugenia S. Gatewood (Massie)/repositories/3/archival_objects/2911861 January 9EnglishScope and Contents

Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter informs his parents that he did well on his examinations and gives his class standing. The letter also mentions the secession of Florida and other states.

SecessionVirginia Military Institute—Class of 1864Virginia Military Institute—Cadet life—1860-1869Virginia—History—Civil War, 1861-1865CorrespondenceLetter to Eugenia S. Gatewood (Massie) and Samuel V. Gatewood/repositories/3/archival_objects/2921861 February 1EnglishScope and Contents

Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter discusses the family's runaway slave, Jesse, and mentions willingness of cadets to fight to "save Virginia."

SlaveryVirginia Military Institute—Class of 1864Virginia Military Institute—Cadet life—1860-1869Virginia—History—Civil War, 1861-1865CorrespondenceLetter to Eugenia S. Gatewood (Massie) and Samuel V. Gatewood/repositories/3/archival_objects/2931861 February 8EnglishScope and Contents

Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter discusses general news, including an invitation to a party, his studies, and a request for money.

Virginia Military Institute—Class of 1864Virginia Military Institute—Cadet life—1860-1869CorrespondenceLetter to Eugenia S. Gatewood (Massie) and Samuel V. Gatewood/repositories/3/archival_objects/2941861 March 10EnglishScope and Contents

Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter discusses squad drill, general news, and speculates about Virginia secession and the War.

SecessionVirginia—History—Civil War, 1861-1865CorrespondenceVirginia Military Institute—Class of 1864Virginia Military Institute—Cadet life—1860-1869Letter to Samuel V. Gatewood/repositories/3/archival_objects/2951861 March 25EnglishScope and Contents

Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter discusses the need for new summer pants and the high price of cloth.

CorrespondenceVirginia Military Institute—Class of 1864Virginia Military Institute—Cadet life—1860-1869Correspondence/repositories/3/archival_objects/2819 items1861 April-JuneEnglishLetter to Samuel V. Gatewood and Eugenia S. Gatewood (Massie)/repositories/3/archival_objects/2961861 April 2EnglishScope and Contents

Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter discusses general news, living in barracks, and anxiety about the return to summer camp in July.

Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter describes the "flag raising incident," a confrontation between Lexington secessionists (including cadets), and pro-Union citizens.

SecessionLexington (Va.)—History—Civil War, 1861-1865CorrespondenceVirginia Military Institute—Cadet life—1860-1869Virginia Military Institute—Class of 1864Letter to Samuel V. Gatewood and Eugenia S. Gatewood (Massie)/repositories/3/archival_objects/2981861 April 18EnglishScope and Contents

Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter describes excitement among VMI cadets as Virginia decides to secede, suspension of academic duty, and cadet preparation for war.

SecessionVirginia Military Institute—Class of 1864Virginia Military Institute—Cadet life—1860-1869CorrespondenceVirginia Military Institute—Civil War, 1861-1865Letter to Samuel V. Gatewood and Eugenia S. Gatewood (Massie)/repositories/3/archival_objects/2991861 April 20EnglishScope and Contents

Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter informs his parents that the Corps of Cadets will be ordered to Richmond, Virginia probably to drill recruits.

Virginia Military Institute—Civil War, 1861-1865Virginia Military Institute—Class of 1864Virginia Military Institute—Cadet life—1860-1869CorrespondenceLetter to Samuel V. Gatewood and Eugenia S. Gatewood (Massie)/repositories/3/archival_objects/3001861 April 28EnglishScope and Contents

Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter describes the cadets' journey from Lexington, Virginia to Richmond and more news of drilling new recruits.

Virginia Military Institute—Class of 1864CorrespondenceVirginia Military Institute—Cadet life—1860-1869Virginia Military Institute—Civil War, 1861-1865Letter to Samuel V. Gatewood and Eugenia S. Gatewood (Massie)/repositories/3/archival_objects/3011861 early MayEnglishScope and Contents

Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter informs his parents that he is drilling a company of new recruits and hopes for a commission.

Virginia—History—Civil War, 1861-1865Virginia Military Institute—Class of 1864CorrespondenceLetter to Eugenia S. Gatewood (Massie) and Samuel V. Gatewood/repositories/3/archival_objects/3021861 May 11EnglishScope and Contents

Written from Ashland, Virginia. Letter discusses a transfer to the Ashland Camp of Instruction to drill army recruits.

Virginia—History—Civil War, 1861-1865—Personal narrativesVirginia Military Institute—Class of 1864Letter to Samuel V. Gatewood and Eugenia S. Gatewood (Massie)/repositories/3/archival_objects/3031861 May 29EnglishScope and Contents

Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Andrew C. L. Gatewood has returned to VMI to drill new cadets and University of Virginia students who are at VMI to receive training. Letter includes a complaint that he is not paid for his services and is still expected to pay room and board and the hopes to get a furlough.

University of Virginia—StudentsVirginia Military Institute—Class of 1864Virginia Military Institute—Cadet life—1860-1869Letter to Samuel V. Gatewood and Eugenia S. Gatewood (Massie)/repositories/3/archival_objects/3041861 June 7EnglishScope and Contents

Written from Mountain Grove, Virginia. Letter discusses preparations to serve as drillmaster with the 81st regiment.

Virginia Military Institute—Class of 1864Virginia—History—Civil War, 1861-1865—Personal narrativesCivil War correspondence/repositories/3/archival_objects/2823 items1862-1863EnglishLetter to Mary P. Goode (Gatewood)/repositories/3/archival_objects/3051862 September 3EnglishScope and Contents

Written from Manassas, Virginia. Letter describes the Second Battle of Manassas.

Bull Run, 2nd Battle of, Va., 1862Virginia Military Institute—Class of 1864United States—History—Civil War, 1861-1865—Personal narratives—ConfederateConfederate States of America. Army—Virginia Cavalry Regiment, 11thCorrespondenceLetter to Eugenia S. Gatewood (Massie)/repositories/3/archival_objects/3061863 March 16EnglishScope and Contents

Written from Edinburg, Virginia. Letter discusses potential to be sent to Harrisonburg, Virginia and mentions victory at Vicksburg, Virginia.

Confederate States of America. Army—Virginia Cavalry Regiment, 11thUnited States—History—Civil War, 1861-1865—Personal narratives—ConfederateVirginia Military Institute—Class of 1864CorrespondenceLetter to Mary P. Goode (Gatewood)/repositories/3/archival_objects/3071863 March 26EnglishScope and Contents

Written from the 11th Regiment camp. Letter regards general news.

Confederate States of America. Army—Virginia Cavalry Regiment, 11thVirginia Military Institute—Class of 1864CorrespondenceUnited States—History—Civil War, 1861-1865—Personal narratives—ConfederateCivil War correspondence/repositories/3/archival_objects/2835 items1864EnglishLetter to Eugenia S. Gatewood (Massie)/repositories/3/archival_objects/3081864 April 9EnglishScope and Contents

Written from Falling Springs Church, Rockbridge County, Virginia. Letter regards regiment encampment.

Confederate States of America. Army—Virginia Cavalry Regiment, 11thVirginia Military Institute—Class of 1864CorrespondenceUnited States—History—Civil War, 1861-1865—Personal narratives—ConfederateLetter to Eugenia S. Gatewood (Massie)/repositories/3/archival_objects/3091864 April 16EnglishScope and Contents

Letter written from the 11th Regiment camp. Letter regards the regiment's presention of the VMI Corps of Cadets with a captured flag and a review of troops by General Smith.

Virginia Military Institute—Cadet life—1860-1869CorrespondenceConfederate States of America. Army—Virginia Cavalry Regiment, 11thVirginia Military Institute—Class of 1864United States—History—Civil War, 1861-1865—Personal narratives—ConfederateSmith, Francis H. (Francis Henney), 1812-1890Letter to Eugenia S. Gatewood (Massie)/repositories/3/archival_objects/3101864 April 27EnglishScope and Contents

Written from Waynesboro, Virginia. Letter regards camp at Waynesboro and expected orders to march and battle.

Confederate States of America. Army—Virginia Cavalry Regiment, 11thVirginia Military Institute—Class of 1864CorrespondenceUnited States—History—Civil War, 1861-1865—Personal narratives—ConfederateLetter to Eugenia S. Gatewood (Massie)/repositories/3/archival_objects/3111864 April 29EnglishScope and Contents

Written from Waynesboro, Virginia. Letter regards that the brigade is ordered to eastern Virginia.

Confederate States of America. Army—Virginia Cavalry Regiment, 11thVirginia Military Institute—Class of 1864CorrespondenceUnited States—History—Civil War, 1861-1865—Personal narratives—ConfederateLetter to Eugenia S. Gatewood (Massie)/repositories/3/archival_objects/3121864 August 9EnglishScope and Contents

Written from the 11th Regiment camp. Letter regards general news from camp.

Confederate States of America. Army—Virginia Cavalry Regiment, 11thVirginia Military Institute—Class of 1864CorrespondenceUnited States—History—Civil War, 1861-1865—Personal narratives—ConfederateCadet account book/repositories/3/archival_objects/51001 items1860-1861EnglishAccount book/repositories/3/archival_objects/3151860-1861EnglishScope and Contents

Account book contains entries for cadet expenses from July 31, 1860 to May 22, 1861.

"History of the Bath Squadron"/repositories/3/archival_objects/50992 FolderEnglishPartial manuscript and Bath County Enterprise newspaper articles/repositories/3/archival_objects/51021899EnglishPartial "History of the Bath Squadron or Recollections of Thirty Years Ago" manuscript/repositories/3/archival_objects/5103EnglishScope and Contents

Partial "History of the Bath Squadron or Recollections of Thirty Years Ago" manuscript in Andrew C. L. Gatewood's hand.

ManuscriptsTypescript with annotations/repositories/3/archival_objects/51051993EnglishScope and Contents

"History of the Bath Squadron" typescript with annotations by C.L. Gatewood's grandson, John M. Dunlap, Jr. Included is a 5.25 inch floppy disk that contains a digital version of the typescript.

Confederate veterans reunion publications/repositories/3/archival_objects/51011 FolderEnglishConfederate veterans reunion publications/repositories/3/archival_objects/3145 itemsEnglishUnited Confederate VeteransOfficial Report of the History Committee of the Grand Camp C. V., Department of Virginia/repositories/3/archival_objects/51061899 October 12EnglishScope and Contents

Written by Dr. Hunter McGuire, Chairman. Report read by the committee chairman in Richmond, Virginia on June 5, 1899.

The Reunion of the West Virginia Division Confederate Veterans and Sons of Confederate Veterans pamphlet/repositories/3/archival_objects/51072 items2 copies1911 October 4-5EnglishScope and Contents

Written by J. Coleman Alderson. Pamphlet contains "speeches, engravings of the speakers, and General Officers of this Division, with other prominent West Virginia Confederates."

PamphletsPoints of Interest in the National Capital pamphlet/repositories/3/archival_objects/51081917 May 14EnglishScope and Contents

Document was printed for the "27th Reunion...United Confederate Veterans 22nd Annual Reunion...Sons of Veterans" held in Washington, D.C. from June 4 to 8, 1917.

PamphletsProceedings of the Reunion of United Confederate Veterans/repositories/3/archival_objects/51091917 October 2EnglishScope and Contents

Proceedings of the 27th Annual Reunion of the Confederate Veterans, the 18th Annual Convention of the Confederated Southern Memorial Association, and the 22nd Annual Reunion of the Sons of Confederate Veterans held in Washington D.C. from June 4 to 7, 1917.