Collections : [Virginia Military Institute Archives]

Virginia Military Institute Archives

Preston Library
Virginia Military Institute
345 Letcher Ave.
Lexington, VA 24450-0304
Primary Collecting Areas:
Military history, Civil War, Shenandoah Valley history, Stonewall Jackson Papers, genealogy
Description:
The VMI Archives include significant manuscript and Institute records holdings, with a focus on military history and the Civil War. Our extensive digital archives allow for easy online access to many of our collections.
POC: Jeffrey S. Kozak
Phone: (540) 464-7516
Phone: (540) 464-7566
Fax: (540) 464-7089
Start Over Repository Virginia Military Institute Archives Subjects Poetry

Barton family papers 10 items

Barton, Charles M. (Charles Marshall), 1836-1862

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.

  1. Virginia Military Institute Archives

Edward C. Shepherd papers 6 items 1 box

Shepherd, Edward C. (Edward Clarence), 1835-1907

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).

  1. Virginia Military Institute Archives

Francis B. Clark collection 2 items

Clark, Francis B. (Francis Barnard), 1850-1896

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."

  1. Virginia Military Institute Archives

George S. Patton compositions 4 items

Patton, George S. (George Smith), 1885-1945

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."

  1. Virginia Military Institute Archives

John L. Cochran papers 7 items

Cochran, John L. (John Lynn), 1863-1887

The John L. Cochran papers consist of:

  • One report card (1879) from the secondary school Cochran attended before entering VMI
  • One letter (dated September 4, 1880) from Cochran to his mother
  • One diary with sketches (1881) that contains short and sporadic entries made while at VMI
  • Four volumes of class notes (1882-1885) taken while Cochran was a student at Swarthmore College (Pennsylvania) and the University of Virginia, with some examples of poetry and sketches interspersed

  1. Virginia Military Institute Archives

Notebook

This notebook contains approximately 50 poems by William E. Arnold, other cadets, various 19th century poets, and anonymous authors. Cadet poetry includes "The Regulations" by Charles Denby (VMI Class of 1850) and "The Six Plebes on Leaving for Richmond" by Thomas O. Benton (VMI Class of 1850). A few poems were composed by Arnold during the Civil War. The notebook also includes clippings, puzzles, and riddles.

  1. Virginia Military Institute Archives
  2. William E. Arnold notebook

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