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This colllection consists of certificates, citations, commissions, and similar documentation associated with VMI alumni, faculty, staff, or VMI as a whole. The collection does not include VMI diplomas or literary society certificates, which are filed separately.

This collection consists of one commission document (dated May 9, 1861) that appoints Samuel Garland, Jr. a Colonel in the Virginia Volunteer Forces. The document is signed by Governor John Letcher. Endorsement on verso by Lewis B. Butler, Justice of the Peace for Prince William County, certifying that Garland took various prescribed oaths.

This collection (seven items) consists of:

• A manuscript notebook compiled by Joseph H. Carpenter during his cadetship (1852-1856). The notebook contains poetry, class notes, autographs of classmates, and a detailed account of a Corps trip to Petersburg and Richmond, Virginia in October 1855.
• Two letters written by Carpenter to his father in 1862, including a letter dated June 16, 1862 that describes fighting near Port Republic, Virginia
• Letter of recommendation written on Carpenter's behalf by Brigadier General John Echols and submitted to Confederate President Jefferson Davis
• Two commission documents (1861)
• One letter (dated July 17, 1864) where Carpenter's Battery member Sergeant Benjamin Karnes describes circumstances surrounding the wounding of a fellow soldier. This letter was found among Carpenter's own papers.

The Samuel S. Brooke papers consist of the personal papers (11 items) Brooke. The papers include five letters (dated 1862-1864) to and from family members that are largely concerned with personal family matters, but include some references to the Civil War and civilian life in Fredericksburg and Richmond, Virginia. Other topics include the 47th Virginia Infantry Regiment, including comments about camp life.

The Francis M. Boykin Civil War papers include:

• Two commission documents
• Extracts from military orders
• One letter from Governor John Letcher that orders Boykin to proceed to Grafton, West Virginia and communicate with Colonel Thomas J. Jackson (Stonewall)
• One letter bearing the signature of General Robert E. Lee

This collection consists of the papers of the Philo H. Goodwyn family of New Orleans, Louisiana. The bulk of this collection includes letters (dated 1840-1858) written by Philo H. Goodwyn to his fiance and later wife, Martha S. McGavock. Other items of correspondence include two letters from Almira McGavock to her daughter Martha, and one letter from McGavock R. Goodwyn (VMI Class of 1863) to his father, Philo.

This collection (five items) consists of items related to James J. Phillips, including:

• VMI Diploma (1853)
• VMI Society of Cadets certificate (1853)
• A drawing of VMI Barracks (circa 1852-1853)
• Confederate Army Commission (1863)
• Certificate, Pickett Buchanan Camp, Confederate Veterans (1890)

The John J. Clarke Civil War papers consist of documents, including commissions, military orders, correspondence, and dispatches that relate to activities in and around Charleston, South Carolina during the period of 1864 to 1865. One letter (dated February 4, 1865) to Colonel Clarke from Headquarters discusses proposed training of African-American troops in the Confederate States of America Corps of Engineers.

This collection consists of documents (1855-1924) related to various members of the Patton Family. Primary subjects are the three individuals named George S. Patton (father, son, and grandson) all of whom attended VMI. The papers include:

• Letters
• Biographical information
• Bank drafts
• Commissions
• Civil War manuscripts
• A map used by General George S. Patton at the Battle of the Bulge during World War II