Collections : [Virginia Military Institute Archives]

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 consists of correspondence, photographs, and documents of R. Henry Campbell and members of the Varner Family of Lexington, Virginia. The families are related through the marriage of Campbell's sister, Augusta, to Varner.

This collection consists of four notebooks belonging to Cadet Charles J. Hansrote, Jr. (VMI Class of 1952), which include chemistry notes. The collection also includes two mechanical drawings.

The Charles P. Deyerle papers consist of the personal papers (12 items) from the career of Deyerle. Included are documents dating from his medical studies and his service in the United States Army, clippings, books, and notebooks.

This collection consists of 33 textbooks (published between 1852-1873) used by VMI cadets during the 1860s and 1870s, and two cadet notebooks.

The Edward C. Shepherd papers consist of three notebooks, two documents, and an annotated analytical geometry text that belonged to VMI cadet Edward C. Shepherd during his years at VMI (1851-1855).

This collection consists of the personal papers of Elmon T. Gray, including various subject files, photographs, and certificates/commendations. Topics include:

• Childhood and Boy Scouts of America
• United States Navy service
• A scrapbook documenting his politcal career for 1971
• Service to VMI
• Cadet class notebooks for organic chemistry

This collection (two items) consists of a notebook containing original poetry by Francis B. Clark, including "Natural Bridge," "To the Lee Family," and "Washington and Lee." The collection also contains one privately printed poem "The Irish Emigrant."

This collection consists of materials from the life of Frank McCarthy, including seven notebooks that contain clippings of articles written by McCarthy during his VMI cadetship and during the two years after graduation. Also included is a script for the newsreel "West Point of the South" (1936) and items from the production of the movie "Patton" (1970), which McCarthy produced.

The George S. Patton compositions collection (four items) consists of one essay and three poems by Patton. The essay (2 pages; circa 1903) discusses the significance of the VMI Corps' participation in the Battle of New Market (May 1864) and the New Market ceremony. This essay was likely written during the year Patton attended VMI, or shortly thereafter. The three original poems are titled "A Dream" (written in France, 1917), "God of Battles," and "Fear."