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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 H. Shields letters consist of three letters written by Shields to his parents while he was a cadet at VMI. Two letters are dated March 24 and April 7, 1864, and one letter is an undated fragment. In addition to routine matters, the letter of March 24 mentions faculty member Thomas H. Williamson going to Panther's Gap to "survey the land, and make arrangements for throwing up fortifications and breastworks," and discusses how cadets coped with the rationing of food.

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"

This collection consists of one letter from Cadet John R. Triplett to his cousin (dated October 11, 1863). The letter discusses difficulty of having new shoes made because of the scarcity of leather.

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.

This collection consists of 26 letters, bulk 1862-1865, from Mortimer Howell Johnson and his son Porter to members of their immediate family. The Johnson Family, originally from West Virginia, moved to Brownsburg in Rockbridge County, Virginia, although they maintained close ties to their former home.

This collection consists of one Civil War parole document granted to Lawrence Royster after surrender of the Confederacy, dated May 16, 1865, Charlottesville, Virginia. The document gives him "permission to go to his home in Richmond, Virginia."

The Samuel F. Atwill papers consist of two letters (dated 1862) written by Cadet Atwill to his parents that relate anecdotes about life at VMI. The papers also include one letter (dated July 1864) from Superintendent Francis H. Smith that notifies the Atwill family of Cadet Atwill's death, and a fragment of Atwill's cadet account book.

The VMI historical appointment documents collection consists of notices of appointment sent to new cadets at VMI. The documents date from the 1840s into the 1900s. These are typically pre-printed forms on which the name, date, and other details are filled in by hand. They also include a list of supplies needed and information about expenses.

The Moses J. Ezekiel papers consist of the papers of noted 19th century sculptor Moses J. Ezekiel, including:

• Correspondence to VMI superintendent Edward W. Nichols and others (dated 1867-1917), some relating to the design of the Battle of New Market memorial sculpture Virginia Mourning Her Dead
• Pen and ink sketches by Ezekiel (approximately 67 items)
• A typescript version of Ezekiel's autobiography
• Memoirs from the Baths of Diocletian
• Print material