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The Joseph H. Chenoweth papers consist of letters (dated 1855 to 1861) written by Chenoweth to his parents Lemuel Chenoweth and Nancy A. Hart. Letters dating from his cadetship cover topics such as exams, trips, and demerits, and provide a good portrait of pre-Civil War cadet life.

This collection consists of one VMI autograph album owned by Cadet Josiah Ryland, Jr. (VMI Class of 1859). The album contains inscriptions by his classmates, including Scott Shipp.

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 Samuel Downing, Jr. papers consist of three items, including:

• One letter (November 17, 1859) from Downing to his father, in which he describes in detail a cadet trip to Norfolk, Virginia, including an interesting account of an uncomfortable canal boat journey
• One list of demerits (April to June 1860)
• One quarterly grade report (July 1860)

This collection consists of one letter (dated January 15, 1854) from Richard C. Taylor to his father, Walter H. Taylor. Taylor describes in detail the circumstances surrounding the murder of his classmate Cadet Thomas Blackburn by Charles B. Christian, a Washington College law student.

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 collection consists of a 41 page manuscript of a speech given at VMI by Senator Robert M. T. Hunter on July 3, 1857 as part of the celebrations marking the end of the academic year. The speech was subsequently printed by McFarlane & Fergusson (Richmond, Virginia) and that published version is also available in the VMI Archives.

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.

This collection consists of one letter (dated May 1, 1856) from VMI's Superintendent Francis H. Smith to the mother of Cadet John J. Smith. The letter discusses Cadet Smith's religious awakening.