Collections

Chester F. Burgess was a Professor of English at the VMI from 1962 to 1988. This collection consists of edited manuscripts of three of his publications, including:

• "The Letters of John Gay"
• "The Beggar's Opera and Companion Pieces"
• "The Fellowship of the Craft: Conrad on Ships and Seamen and the Sea"

The James H. Waddell papers consist of four items, including:

• A letter (dated 1855) from Waddell to his sister that contains a detailed description and pencil drawing of his room (#14) in barracks and of his roomates (Barksdale, Penn, Magruder, Shepherd, and Wilson)
• A drawing of a barracks room and roommates
• Pencil map, 8 inches x 10 inches, labeled "Plan of Battle of Bethel Church, June 10, 1861"
• Letter of recommendation (dated 1879) written by VMI's Superintendent Francis H. Smith and endorsed by Board of Visitors President John Letcher

This collection consists of photograph albums, diplomas, and papers that document the life of John E. Townes. The photos depict both his VMI cadetship and his subsequent career in the United States Army Coast Artillery Corps (1908-1920) and at VMI as a faculty member (1921-1956).

The Kenneth S. Purdie papers (approximately 250 items) include:

• Subject files concerning the publication of the 1912 VMI yearbook, of which Purdie was editor
• Personal correspondence
• Documents (1916) concerning the Culver Military Academy, Indiana
• Military service records (photocopies)
• One photograph album (1911-1913) that includs photos of VMI and Wentworth Military Academy, Missouri

This collection consists of the papers of Lloyd J. Davidson, including:

• Correspondence
• Examination questions and assignment sheets for his English classes at VMI
• Copies of speeches presented to the Lexington (Virginia) Fortnightly Club
• Biographical information

The Paul Welles papers consist of the personal papers (1897-1950) of VMI faculty member Paul Welles. These papers include personal correspondence and diaries (1928-1950), records from his military career (1916-1919), photos, speeches, and certificates (oversized). Little of the collection relates to Welles' career at VMI.

This collection consists of one manuscript (holograph, 38 pages) of a speech given by VMI modern manguages professor Thomas M. Semmes. The speech concerns Stonewall Jackson and was presented in Richmond, Virginia, circa 1892. Semmes (VMI Class of 1860) was a cadet during the time that Jackson was on the VMI faculty.

This collection consists of the papers (21 items) of 19th century VMI faculty member William Gilham, including:

• Official Register of the Officers and Cadets of the U. S. Military Academy (June 1841)
• A VMI weekly class report (circa 1860)
• A dispatch signed by General Robert E. Lee
• Correspondence, including a letter from Moses Ezekiel (VMI Class of 1866)
• Photographs where the subjects are Robert E. Lee, Gilham and his wife, Libby Prison, and Richmond, Virginia during the Civil War
• Invitations to social events in Lexington, Virginia from the McDowell Family