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Barton family papers, 1855-1869. MS 0020. VMI Archives, Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Virginia.
Charles Marshall Barton, the eldest son of David W. Barton and and Frances (Fanny) Jones Barton, was born in Winchester, Virginia on November 30, 1836. His preparatory education was received at Winchester Academy and at Episcopal High School (Alexandria, Virginia). He entered VMI in 1852 and graduated in 1856. He subsequently returned to the Winchester area where he was a farmer. Charles married Ellen Harvie Marshall of Fauquier County in 1859. During the Civil War, he served with Cutshaw's Artillery Battery and was mortally wounded in action near Winchester on May 25, 1862.
Randolph J. Barton, Charles's younger brother, was born in Winchester on April 24, 1844. He attended the VMI for one year (1860-1861), and joined the 33rd Virginia Infantry Regiment at the beginning of the Civil War. He subsequently served in the 2nd Virginia Infantry and as a Staff Officer for Generals Elisha F. Paxton, James A. Walker, and William R. Terry. Following the War, Randolph practiced law in Baltimore, Maryland. He married Agnes P. Kirkland of Baltimore on December 29, 1869 and the couple had nine children. He died on March 15, 1921.
Bolling W. Barton, a younger brother of Charles and Randolph, was born in Winchester on November 24, 1846. He entered VMI on September 25, 1862, and while at the Institute, took part in the Battle of New Market (Virginia) on May 15, 1864. In November 1864 he joined the 1st Foreign Battalion. After the Civil War, Bolling studied and practiced medicine, and also taught botany at Johns Hopkins University. He married Ella Jane Gibson in 1872 and the couple had no children. He died in Loudoun County, Virginia on February 18, 1924.
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.
The notebook described above, although pertaining largely to Charles, also contains notes on law and notations concerning legal cases and fees. This material likely relates to Randolph Barton (VMI Class of 1864), an attorney.
Material related to Bolling W. Barton (VMI Class of 1866) includes one letter (dated January 18, 1864) from Frank (last name unknown, but a VMI alumnus), and six documents, primarily French language exercises.
Material related to Randolph J. Barton includes a typescript photocopy of a speech delivered by Randolph to the VMI Class of 1912.
A larger collection of Barton family papers is located at the Handley Library in Winchester, Virginia.
Includes one letter (dated September 28, 1855) from Charles M. Barton 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").
Also included is 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.
The notebook, although pertaining largely to Charles, also contains notes on law and notations concerning legal cases and fees. This material likely relates to Randolph J. Barton, an attorney.
Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. In the letter, Charles M. Barton complains about VMI life and about his instructor Stonewall Jackson, who he describes as a "hell of a fool."
V.M.I. Sept. 28th 55. Dear Joe
In the eloquent language of one of my roommates, Thank God Friday night has come again. You can't imagine with what deep interest I count the days as they come & go. I have a calendar on my ward robe door & the first thing after my return from reveille in the morning is to scratch off the preceding day & generally, I find my way back into bed pretty near as fast as I have to get out of it, although in direct opposition to the regulations of V.M.I. But from many years, I may say, of practice, I have become cute enough to dodge Spex, Gil & the other grand rascals.
I can assure you that I am heartily sick of the military, studies & everything else connected with the V.M.I. & I don't think I will touch a gun, book, or anything that bears any resemblance to them for some time after I leave here, that is if I ever do get away.
I have been here so long that I feel as if I had been living here all my life, & the idea of leaving it, perhaps never to return, seems almost impossible to believe.
I find the studies this years a great deal more interesting than they have been heretofore, with the exception of one single one, which so counterbalances the rest as to throw all the good part into the shade. We commenced studying engineering this year. I find the military engineering quite interesting & I hope I may find civil equally so, as it is the only thing I care knowing anything about.
The study I referred to just now was Optics, which from being so very difficult, & taught by such a hell of a fool, whose name is Jackson, has suggested the following lines,
The V.M.I. O What a spot In winter cold, in summer hot Great Lord Al- what a wonder Major Jackson Hell & Thunder
I am afraid I have digressed too far, to refer to the reception of your letter which I can assure you was the most welcome one I have received for a long time. I'll swear I am almost ashamed [to] send off a letter like this full of evasions, mistakes &, but I know you will excuse me when I tell you that I have my four roommates in a very exciting discussion, cursing & ripping so that I can hardly hear myself. In such a fuss as this I can hardly compose myself sufficiently to refer to that sweet note that has been ringing in my ears ever since its reception. Oh, how much I wished to be back at least for a day or two. It brought on quite a relapse as I felt like leaving the V.M.I. immediately. I felt nearly reconciled to stay this year out, but for three or four days I have not been able to open a book, I can't account for the reason. You asked me to burn up your letter. Of course you did not include that part or it, & even if you did I don't think I would grant your request. I carry it in my left pocket & have nearly worn it out already. I think I must send soon after an original copy.
[End of letter appears on page 1] I reckon that name, which you did not want to mention in your letter, got in there after all, for the same reason as you gave I do not like to write it in mine. I believe at last it has been decided that we shall not go to Richmond. I did not care much about going, so I was not much disappointed. Write soon. Give love to all enquiring friends. I remain your affectionate cousin C.M. Barton
The notebook (approximately 250 pages) 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.
The notebook, although pertaining largely to Charles, also contains notes on law and notations concerning legal cases and fees. This material likely relates to Randolph J. Barton, an attorney.
Includes four class exercises and one note indicating math and French marks. Also includes two items of correspondence.
Geometry class exercise submitted to Lieutenant T. B. Robinson.
French exercise submitted to Lieutenant Miller.
One paper that details math and French marks. Additionally, the paper contains an address for Robert T. Barton.
Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Note requests that cadet Crawford be granted a leave of absence to "attend to very important business."
Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter requests that Bolling W. Barton look after "Mr. Rutherford," a cadet soon to be entering VMI.
Includes one typescript photocopy of a speech delivered by Randolph J. Barton to the VMI Class of 1912.
Typescript photocopy of a speech delivered by Randolph J. Barton to the VMI Class of 1912. Originial typescript is housed at the Handley Library Archives in Winchester, Virginia.