Collections

The bulk of the Charles A. Derby papers consists of Derby family correspondence. Approximately twenty-eight letters were written by Charles A. Derby (dated 1844-1862) and cover the period from late boyhood up to his death in battle in 1862. Included are letters (dated 1846-1847) written while he was a cadet at VMI, as well as correspondence dating from his careers as a teacher and Episcopal clergyman. Two items were written during his brief service in the Confederate Army.

This collection includes correspondence while Jamison was Secretary of War of South Carolina, 1861; scattered letters and papers pertaining to the South Carolina Secession Convention of which he was president, and papers related to his tenure as presiding judge of the military court of Gen. Beauregard's Corps, 1862-1864. Robert Woodward Barnwell and Lawrence Massillon Keitt are among the correspondents.

Personal and professional papers of Moncure Robinson dealing mostly with management of Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad in which he held controlling interest. Prominent correspondents include James Buchanan, Washington Irving, Dennis Hart Mahan, Winfield Scott and Abel Parker Upshur. Also included is the correspondence of his father, John Robinson (including letters from William C. C. Claiborne), his brothers, Cary, Edwin, Conway and Eustace Robinson and his brother-in-law John C. R. Taylor whose letters concern plantation management. Also included are notebooks of Wirt Robinson.

This collection contains primary and secondary resources pertaining to Robert E. Lee and the Lee family. Included are correspondences from, to, and about Lee and various family members; memorabilia, pamphlets, photographs, reminiscences, miscellaneous personal papers, family history and genealogy. The collection includes materials acquired from the Lee family and items donated to and purchased and compiled by W&L University since Lee's tenure as president of Washington College from 1865 - 1870. Adminstrative papers, such as President's Reports, etc..., from Robert E. Lee's presidency of the school may be found within the W&L University Archives. Please contact W&L Special Collections for information regarding the University Archives.

Appointment, 10 May 1836, of Winfield Scott to the rank of lieutenant-general (signed by Andrew Jackson and Lewis Cass) and letter, 26 May 1865, of Winfield Scott to Quartermaster Capt. [?] Morgan concerning fuel and quarters and his departure for West Point.