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Virginia Military Institute Archives
VMI ArchivesPreston Library
Lexington, VA 24450
Business Number: 540-464-7516
archives@vmi.edu
URL: http://www.vmi.edu/archives
Administrative Information
Conditions Governing Use
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.
Conditions Governing Access
There are no restrictions.
Preferred Citation
VMI Civil War admissions circular, 1861 May 3. MS 0178. VMI Archives, Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Virginia.
Biographical / Historical
When the Civil War began in the Spring of 1861, most of the regularly enrolled cadets were sent to Richmond, Virginia, to serve as drillmasters for new Confederate States of America Army recruits. Back in Lexington, Virginia, VMI opened its doors to new students who desired a brief course in military training in preparation for entering the Confederate Army. This circular, printed in May 1861, was sent to these prospective cadets, who would be "organized into classes for instruction in infantry, artillery, and cavalry tactics, in field fortification, strategy and pyrotechny...." Most of these trainees stayed for three months or less.
Scope and Contents
The printed portion of the document outlines the proposed training regimen and lists estimated monthly expenses. This particular document was mailed to Christopher Damron, a lawyer in Allegheny County, Virginia, who had inquired about enrolling his sons (they did not enroll). A handwritten note from VMI's treasurer William S. Polk to Damron appears at the bottom of the document.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
- Broadsides (notices)
- Circular letters
- Correspondence
- Damron, Christopher
- Virginia Military Institute—Cadet life—1860-1869
- Virginia Military Institute—Civil War, 1861-1865
- Virginia Military Institute—Class of 1864 Military Science
- Virginia Military Institute—Curricula
- Virginia Military Institute—Curricula
Container List
The printed portion of the document outlines the proposed training regimen and lists estimated monthly expenses. This particular document was mailed to Christopher Damron, a lawyer in Allegheny County, Virginia, who had inquired about enrolling his sons (they did not enroll). A handwritten note from VMI's treasurer William S. Polk to Damron appears at the bottom of the document.
Virginia Military Institute
As soon as the Cadets now in the field can be spared from the duties upon which they are now detached, they will return to the Institute, and regular Academic exercises will be resumed.
In the meantime, young men of good character, who desire the advantages of the military instruction of the Institution, theoretic as well as practical, will be admitted upon presenting themselves to the Acting Superintendent Major S. Crutchfield.
Persons thus admitted will be organized into classes for instruction in infantry, artillery, and cavalry tactics, in field fortification, strategy and pyrotechny, and will be controlled and governed by the same regulations which apply to Cadets. The first element in a soldier's instruction is to learn respect for, and submission to, lawful authority, and no one will be received under any circumstances who is not willing to submit to this control. The tendency of a state of war is to demoralize the soldier. It is the high function of the Virginia Military Institute to restrain this tendency by imparting, as far as it may, the qualifying influences of discipline. When the regular Academic exercises are resumed, the persons thus admitted to the privileges of Cadets, will be allowed to withdraw, or to continue the regular course of the Institute, at will, and in the mean time no charge will be made for tuition. Deposit on admission $120. Such portion to be refunded as may remain unexpended when the cadet leaves.
Estimated Expenses Board per month $12.00 Washing 1.50 Fuel and Lights per month 1.50 Medical Fee per term, 5.00 Room furniture 5.00 Library fee per term 2.00 Music fee per term 5.00 Contingencies, per month 6.00 Uniform, 12.00
May 13, 1861 C. Damron Esq Dr. Sir: Your sons will be red'd. and allowed to resign when they desire. The above will give you necessary information. William S. Polk