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

James W. Thomson papers, 1860-1861. MS 0239. VMI Archives, Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Virginia.

Biographical / Historical

James Walton Thomson was born in 1843 in Summit Point, West Virginia. He graduated VMI in 1864. During the Civil War he was a Major with the Horse Artillery, Confederate States of America. Thomson was killed in battle near High Bridge, Virginia in April 1865.

Scope and Contents

The James W. Thomson papers consist of 13 letters (dated 1860-1861) written by the family and friends of Thomson. The letters were received by Thomson while he was a cadet at VMI and contain family and personal news. Correspondents include Thomson's mother, grandmother, brother, sister, and cousin. One letter (dated September 10, 1861) is from Colonel John Pelham who discusses an army appointment for Thomson.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Correspondence
• Virginia Military Institute—Cadet life—1860-1869
• Virginia Military Institute—Class of 1864