![[logo]](http://ead.lib.virginia.edu/vivaead/logos/vmi.jpg)
Virginia Military Institute Archives
VMI ArchivesVMI Archives Staff, April 1979; revised April 2024
Manuscript collections in the VMI Archives are made available for educational and research use. The VMI Archives should be cited as the source. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright holders. Materials from our collections may not be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives. Contact the VMI Archives for additional information.
There are no restrictions.
A bulk of the Andrew C. L. Gatewood papers are avaliable online .
A photograph of Gatewood is also avaliable online .
Andrew C. L. Gatewood papers, 1860-1993. MS 0068. VMI Archives, Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Virginia.
Andrew Cameron Lewis Gatewood was born at Mountain Grove, Bath County, Virginia, on June 30, 1843 to Samuel Vance Gatewood (1810-1861) and Eugenia Sophia Massie (1819-1884). He entered the VMI in July 1860, where he served as a cadet until the outbreak of the Civil War in April 1861. On April 16, 1861, he accompanied the Corps of Cadets to Richmond, Virginia where he served as a drillmaster to new Confederate recruits. Gatewood subsequently served in the same capacity under General Robert S. Garnett at Laurel Hill, Barbour County, West Virginia. He joined the 11th Virginia Cavalry Regiment in March 1862 and was elected 2nd Lieutenant, "F" Company (Bath Squadron). He served in this unit until the end of the War.
At the close of the Civil War, Gatewood returned to Bath County. His father had died suddenly in 1861 without leaving a will, and as the oldest son, he took on responsibility for his family's affairs. He married his childhood sweetheart, Mary Skillern Warwick (1845-1922) in 1869 and the couple had seven children: William Beale, Eugene Samuel, Massie Cameron, Andrew Warwick, Mary Preston, Eliza Pleasants, and one child who died in infancy. The couple moved to Big Spring, Pocahontas County, West Virginia in 1877 where Gatewood spent the remainder of his life working as a farmer and stock raiser. He died on July 31, 1919.
The bulk of the Andrew C. L. Gatewood papers consist of 28 letters (dated 1860-1864) written by Gatewood to his parents and other family members. Early letters describe life at VMI and in Lexington, Virginia, just prior to and during early months of the Civil War. Subsequent letters date from Gatewood's service with the 11th Virginia Cavalry Regiment, Company F (Bath Squadron), including a letter (dated September 1862) written after the Second Battle of Manassas (2nd Bull Run).
The papers also include a "History of the Bath Squadron," consisting of a manuscript fragment, copies of a series of published newspaper articles concerning the unit, and an edited transcription, publications concerning Confederate veteran reunions, and Gatewood's VMI cadet account book.
Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards initiation of new cadets, early reference to term "rat" as a name for a new cadet, complaints of homesickness, and comments on living in camp.
Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter describes daily routine of cadets, life in camp, and difficulty of studies.
Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter describes dismantling summer camp and moving into barracks.
Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter discusses family matters, including court summons.
Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter discusses examinations, Christmas at VMI, and the secession of South Carolina.
Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter mentions examinations and the secession of South Carolina.
Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter informs his parents that he did well on his examinations and gives his class standing. The letter also mentions the secession of Florida and other states.
Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter discusses the family's runaway slave, Jesse, and mentions willingness of cadets to fight to "save Virginia."
Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter discusses general news, including an invitation to a party, his studies, and a request for money.
Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter discusses squad drill, general news, and speculates about Virginia secession and the War.
Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter discusses the need for new summer pants and the high price of cloth.
Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter discusses general news, living in barracks, and anxiety about the return to summer camp in July.
Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter describes the "flag raising incident," a confrontation between Lexington secessionists (including cadets), and pro-Union citizens.
Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter describes excitement among VMI cadets as Virginia decides to secede, suspension of academic duty, and cadet preparation for war.
Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter informs his parents that the Corps of Cadets will be ordered to Richmond, Virginia probably to drill recruits.
Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter describes the cadets' journey from Lexington, Virginia to Richmond and more news of drilling new recruits.
Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter informs his parents that he is drilling a company of new recruits and hopes for a commission.
Written from Ashland, Virginia. Letter discusses a transfer to the Ashland Camp of Instruction to drill army recruits.
Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Andrew C. L. Gatewood has returned to VMI to drill new cadets and University of Virginia students who are at VMI to receive training. Letter includes a complaint that he is not paid for his services and is still expected to pay room and board and the hopes to get a furlough.
Written from Mountain Grove, Virginia. Letter discusses preparations to serve as drillmaster with the 81st regiment.
Written from Manassas, Virginia. Letter describes the Second Battle of Manassas.
Written from Edinburg, Virginia. Letter discusses potential to be sent to Harrisonburg, Virginia and mentions victory at Vicksburg, Virginia.
Written from the 11th Regiment camp. Letter regards general news.
Written from Falling Springs Church, Rockbridge County, Virginia. Letter regards regiment encampment.
Letter written from the 11th Regiment camp. Letter regards the regiment's presention of the VMI Corps of Cadets with a captured flag and a review of troops by General Smith.
Written from Waynesboro, Virginia. Letter regards camp at Waynesboro and expected orders to march and battle.
Written from Waynesboro, Virginia. Letter regards that the brigade is ordered to eastern Virginia.
Written from the 11th Regiment camp. Letter regards general news from camp.
Account book contains entries for cadet expenses from July 31, 1860 to May 22, 1861.
Partial "History of the Bath Squadron or Recollections of Thirty Years Ago" manuscript in Andrew C. L. Gatewood's hand.
"History of the Bath Squadron" typescript with annotations by C.L. Gatewood's grandson, John M. Dunlap, Jr. Included is a 5.25 inch floppy disk that contains a digital version of the typescript.
Written by Dr. Hunter McGuire, Chairman. Report read by the committee chairman in Richmond, Virginia on June 5, 1899.
Written by J. Coleman Alderson. Pamphlet contains "speeches, engravings of the speakers, and General Officers of this Division, with other prominent West Virginia Confederates."
Document was printed for the "27th Reunion...United Confederate Veterans 22nd Annual Reunion...Sons of Veterans" held in Washington, D.C. from June 4 to 8, 1917.
Proceedings of the 27th Annual Reunion of the Confederate Veterans, the 18th Annual Convention of the Confederated Southern Memorial Association, and the 22nd Annual Reunion of the Sons of Confederate Veterans held in Washington D.C. from June 4 to 7, 1917.