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The Barton family papers consist of the papers of three members of the Barton family who attended VMI during the mid-19th century. Papers related to Charles M. Barton (VMI Class of 1856) include a letter (dated September 28, 1855) from Charles to his cousin Joseph M. Barton in which he complains about VMI life and about his instructor Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson (Jackson is described as a "hell of a fool"). Other Charles Barton material is found in a notebook (approximately 250 pages) that contains poetry copied by Charles, including "The Faculty of the VMI," which describes Francis H. Smith, John T.L. Preston, and other early faculty members; class notes from lectures given by Francis H. Smith; autographs of his VMI classmates, and a resolution on the death of Cadet Thomas Blackburn.

This collection (five items) consists of keepsake albums that popular in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Included are the following autograph albums:

• Edward Harvie Smith, Jr., VMI Class of 1867 and New Market cadet. This album contains signed inscriptions by 19 fellow New Market cadets.
• Farmer D. Cochran, VMI Class of 1889
• Thomas G. Tate, VMI Class of 1877
• VMI Class of 1874 members (original owner unknown)
• VMI Class of 1902 autograph page

John F. Hanna's diary contains a colorful account of life at VMI and in Lexington, Virginia during the Spring of 1864. Entries begin April 17, 1864 and end May 9, 1864. On May 10, the cadets were called to active duty at the request of General John C. Breckinridge and on May 15 participated in the Battle of New Market, Virginia. The entries contain comments about VMI activities and people, Lexington social life, and discussion of personal concerns.

The Francis L. Smith family papers consist of the personal papers (five items) of the family of Smith, a prominent lawyer in Alexandria, Virginia. Items relating to his son Francis L. Smith, Jr. (VMI Class of 1867) include:

• An oath of allegiance verification (dated May 22, 1865), Amelia Court House, Virginia
• A letter with enclosure (dated 1867) from VMI Treasurer Robert H. Campbell that concerns the collection of a bill
• A telegram to Fitzhugh Lee (dated 1887)

The Hardaway H. Dinwiddie papers consist of the personal papers (six items) of Dinwiddie, including:

• A calling card
• Poems about New Market Cadets
• A document titled "phrenological analysis" (1858)
• A manuscript of a VMI valedictory speech (1867)
• A VMI commencement program (1867)
• A certificate of withdrawal from Lexington's (Virginia) Masonic Lodge (1868)

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

This collection consists of the papers from the career of John F. Bransford, including:

• Correspondence (1889-1916)
• Articles about Central American research
• Medical school diploma
• Certificates
• Paroled prisoner's pass (April 10, 1865)

The John L. Tunstall papers consist of the personal papers (five items) Tunstall, including:

• One letter from Tunstall to his mother, in which he describes the cermonies marking the second anniversary of the Battle of New Market (including the reinterment of five of the cadets killed at New Market), recalls the horror of the Civil War, and mentions visit of Robert E. Lee to Stonewall Jackson's gravesite
• Two notebooks containing VMI engineering class notes
• One photograph album containing approximately 33 images of classmates, family, and others
• One book from Tunstall's personal library titled "The Sociable Story Teller"

The John S. Bagnall papers consist of the personal papers (seven items) of Bagnall. Included are two letters (dated 1921) from Eliza Clinedinst Crim, the New Market resident who came to the assistance of wounded cadets after the Battle of New Market. The letter of April 20 mentions cadet Moses J. Ezekiel caring for the mortally wounded cadet Thomas G. Jefferson. The papers also include an 1862 VMI grade report, two receipts for payment of tuition and diploma, and an envelope containing two of Bagnall's calling cards.

The Thomas M. Rutherfoord papers consist of the personal papers (eight items) of Rutherfoord, including:

• A paroled prisoner's pass (dated April 10, 1865) from Appomattox Court House, Virginia
• Two letters (dated 1907 and 1911) from Andrew Pizzini, Jr. (VMI Class of 1865)
• Documents (dated 1906-1907) primarily concerned with Confederate veterans' activities