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 D. Saunders letter, 1842 November 24. MS 0247. VMI Archives, Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Virginia.

Biographical / Historical

James D. Saunders was born in 1824 in Lynchburg, Virginia. He graduated VMI in 1845 and went on to become a merchant. He died in a duel in Lynchburg in 1851.

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of one letter (dated November 24, 1842) from Cadet James D. Saunders to his cousin John Mitchell. Saunders describes the hardships of cadet life, the dullness of Lexington, Virginia, VMI's 3rd anniversary (Founders Day) celebration, a storm damaging the North wall of barracks, and mentions Edward C. Carrington, Jr. (VMI Class of 1844). This is one of the earliest extant cadet personal letters.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Carrington, Edward C., Jr. (Edward Codrington)
• Correspondence
• Lexington (Va.)—History
• Virginia Military Institute—Anniversaries, etc.
• Virginia Military Institute—Cadet life—1840-1849
• Virginia Military Institute—Class of 1845
• Virginia Military Institute—Founders Day
• Virginia Military Institute—History—19th century