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Papers of the Virginia Military Institute Superintendent. Francis H. Smith, 1839-1889. Accession #RG02.01.01 , Virginia Military Institute Archives
Francis H. Smith served for fifty years (1839-1889) as VMI's first Superintendent. Smith was born in 1812, graduated from West Point in 1833, and came to Lexington, Virginia in 1839 to lead the newly established Virginia Military Institute. He died in March 1890, a few months after his retirement as Superintendent. He was known as the builder and --after the Civil War-- rebuilder of VMI. His official correspondence spans the period 1839-1889, with few gaps. The Civil War era and earlier letters survived Gen. David Hunter's destruction of many Institute buildings in June 1864. Smith corresponded with the notable military, educational, and political leaders of his time, making the correspondence a rich resource for scholars.
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, personal file, and subject files.
The papers are arranged in 7 series:
Records Series
The incoming letters dated 1839-1870 are arranged according to a numbering system used by Smith's office. Within each year, each incoming letter was assigned a letter number and filed in numerical order; some years were broken down into alphabetical sections with a separate numerical sequence for each section. The later letters, 1885-1889, are arranged alphabetically within each year. There is no separate sequence for 1860, although a small number of 1860 letters appear in the 1861 file. No incoming letter file exists for the period 1870-1884.
Order Books, containing General and Special Orders, document all aspects of Institute life during the Smith Administration. They contain information about everyday cadet life, academics, training, and individual cadets. Some boxes contain multiple volumes; the box label date is inclusive for all volumes within a box.
This volume was carried away by a Union soldier, Private J. O. Humphreys of the 1st Ohio Artillery, after Hunter's Raid in June 1864. He used the empty pages in the back of the volume to record this account of his unit's activities from late April through early July, 1864. The diary has been transcribed and is also available on the VMI Archives website.
This volume also contains a portion of a demerit book for 1866-1867, and a fragment of a matriculation book. The latter includes a copy of entries from 1839-August 1856, and original signatures from August 1856 through June 1861.
Smith submitted annual reports to the VMI Board of Visitors in which he discussed in detail the operations of the Institute during the completed academic year. These were typically presented at the July Board meetings and appear in the Board of Visitors Minutes in manuscript form. Beginning in the mid-1840's they were also published in pamphlet form. These reports provide and excellent account of life at the Institute for each academic year. Topics include significant events, cadet life, academics, and finances.
In the 19th century, students applying for admission to VMI submitted letters from parents and others in support of the application. This subject file consists of these letters, and includes both matriculating and non-matriculating students. Students who ultimately enrolled at VMI will have a more complete file in the alumni biographical files collection. However, students who did not enroll may have no other information on file.
Alphabetical
Faculty applications, historical. Letters of application and supporting letters of recommendation submitted for several faculty & staff positions. Includes positions of Professor of Modern Languages, Physical Sciences, Steward, Quartermaster. This file only relates to a few specific positions.
Several items, 1845, concerning a complaint lodged by Washington College against VMI, which ultimately led to a severance of academic ties between the two institutions. Prof. George Dodd Armstrong represented the College on this issue. For a full account, see 100 Years at VMI (William Couper), vol. 1, pps. 139-147. One unrelated document from 1860.
Alphabetical
Includes letter from Francis H. Smith to Dr. Galt inviting him to the statue dedication; original manuscript of remarks made at the Washington Statue dedication on July 3, 1856 by William B. Taliaferro, Revd. John H. Bowcock, Francis H. Smith. Information (photocopies, 1864-1866) concerning the confiscation of the statue by Gen. Hunter's troops and its return from West Virginia in 1866, including copies of letters from David H. Strother of Gen. Hunter's staff.
Examples of academic department annual reports from the 19th century. These reports from the various academic departments were submitted to the Superintendent and help to document the early academic history of the Institute. This file includes early reports by John T. L. Preston (Languages), and Thomas H. Williamson (Engineering), as well as reports by other early faculty members. The series has many gaps; for example, none from the 1850's. The reports reflect some subjects that are no longer taught, e.g., Latin, drawing, mineralogy.
19th century legal documents. Records of VMI attorneys Letcher, Maury and Letcher relating to collection of cadet debts after Civil War, 1871-1873
Three page memorandum of agreement (July 13, 1870) between sculptor Frederick Volck and VMI Superintendent Francis H. Smith. Volck was to complete a bronze equestrian statue of Gen. Thomas J. Jackson, but the project was never finished. (See the book "One Hundred Years at VMI" by William Couper, vol 3, p. 212, for an account of Volck's relationship with VMI).
19th century historical court martial and board of inquiry records. Includes bound volume, 1848-1854, containing early VMI Courts Martial proceedings, including trial of Cadet James Walker for disrespectful behavior toward Major Thomas Jackson (Stonewall), May 1852. One box, misc. cases, 1881-1898. Records of other cases are located in the Order Books.
Miscellaneous personal papers, biographical and genealogical information; and research notes compiled by historians
Biographical, genealogical, printed material and other related information compiled over decades. This material is used as a reference file.
These miscellaneous Francis H. Smith and Smith family personal papers were once held by a Smith descendant and subsequently donated to VMI. Much of the material is in poor condition. The most significant items are 2 volumes of personal letters written while on his trip to Europe in 1858, along with a scrapbook containing engravings of places visited. The material also contains misc. personal correspondence, including one letter from Scott Shipp thanking Smith for his condolences upon the death of Shipp's wife. Two items were transferred to the VMI Museum:a pair of Smith's eyeglasses; anda small oil portrait of Sarah (Sara) Henderson Smith, his wife.
Unpublished typescript by Francis H. Smith III. This is the only full length biography of Francis H. Smith and is a useful source for information not found elsewhere.
Edwin L. Dooley, Jr., former Executive Assistant to the Superintendent and Secretary to the Board of Visitors, is also a historian who has studied Francis H. Smith in depth. This material comprises his research material relating to Smith's personal and professional life.