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A topical and chronological file of pamplets containing the text of speeches and addresses delivered at VMI.

These files constitute the major record series generated by the office of Francis H. Smith, VMI's first Superintendent. He served from 1839-1889. The records, (ca. 30 linear feet) consist of incoming and outgoing correspondence, order books, speeches and publications, annual reports, personal file, and subject files.

The George A. Goodman papers consist of 11 items related to George A. Goodman, including:

• VMI Diploma and Cadet Dialectic Society certificates
• Letters of recommendation (1859) from Francis H. Smith and Thomas H. Williamson
• Civil War documents, including commissions, oaths of allegiance, and a prison parole

This collection consists of five letters (dated 1848 to 1854) written by Giles Gunn while he was a schoolteacher in Lexington, Virginia. The letters, addressed primarily to his sister Mary (living at the Gunn home in Washington, Litchfield County, Connecticut), include discussions of interesting local events as well as references to family. Topics include:

• VMI commencement
• A detailed description of his school and his methods of instruction
• A description of the communion service at a local church, including references to black communicants
• References to the townspeople's reaction to a rumored slave insurrection
• A discussion of the murder of VMI cadet Thomas Blackburn.

The John F. Early papers consist of the letters and diary of cadet John F. Early (1830-1894), who attended VMI from 1848 to 1850. The one volume diary-notebook contains short and sporadic entries regarding daily routines and special events. The diary contains one of the earliest references to Superintendent Francis H. Smith as "Spex" (April 30, 1850). The diary also contains lists of cadets, room occupants, and the poetry of Sara Henderson Smith ("The Old Gray Coat") and others. The five letters were written to family members and include details of cadet life and family and personal news.

This collection consists of one notebook (approximately 145 pages) created by Philip C. Gibbs that reflects cadet life from 1848 to 1851. The notebook includes:

• Accounts of Corps of Cadets trips to Richmond, Petersburg, Norfolk and Rockbridge Alum Springs, Virginia
• Cadet poetry and essays
• Poetry by Sara Henderson Smith
• Addresses delivered before the Cadet Dialectic Society (a literary and debating society)
• Discussion of exams (1851) in English and natural philosophy
• Account of "An Oyster Supper---A Frolic After Taps"
• Account of "our last bible recitation" in which Gibbs describes the last session of his cadetship with Superintendent Francis H. Smith

This collection consists of a poetry notebook compiled by William E. Arnold during the period between 1849 and 1864. The bulk of the entries date from the years in which he was a VMI cadet (1849-1853). Such notebooks were popular among VMI cadets of the mid-19th century and typically contain both original and copied verse. This notebook contains approximately 50 poems by 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.

This collections consists of a one volume notebook book that belonged to VMI Cadet Simeon B. Gibbons. The book contains notes, poetry, lists, and other writings.

The Thomas T. Munford papers consist of the personal papers of Munford, including:

• One letter (dated April 18, 1861) to Charles Ellis that discusses the outbreak of war
• One letter (dated May 9, 1864) to George P. Tayloe, Munford's father-in-law, that discusses the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House, Virginia
• One letter (dated May 21, 1865) to Sallie Munford, Munford's niece, that expresses sadness caused by the South's defeat
• One photostat of Munford's Special Orders No. 6 (dated April 25, 1865)
• One architecture textbook used by Munford during his cadetship at VMI, including his original sketches and annotations
• Eleven receipts (dated 1845-1847) that show payments of George W. Munford to Claudius Crozet for schooling of his sons

This collection consists of a diary fragment (approximately 25 pages) kept by William O. Yager from 1849 to 1852. The bulk of the diary concerns a dispute between his classmates John A. Thompson and William M. Gordon that led to a court of inquiry and court martial. The diary also contains lists of roommates and poetry.