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

Oliver M. Rutledge papers, 1879-1882. MS-0009. VMI Archives, Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Virginia.

Biographical / Historical

Oliver Middleton Rutledge was born in Columbia, South Carolina on September 1, 1862 to Benjamin Huger Rutledge and Eleanor Middleton. He graduated from VMI in 1882, standing 17th out of 59 graduates. After completing his education, he was a planter and lumber businessman in Fletcher, North Carolina. Rutledge married Helen Bagley Blake of Charleston, South Carolina on October 5, 1892 and the couple had 5 children: Helen, Frances, Oliver, Elise, and Dorothy. He died on May 17, 1928 in Fletcher.

Scope and Contents

The Oliver M. Rutledge papers consist primarily of the incoming and outgoing correspondence of VMI cadet Oliver M. Rutledge (dated 1879 to 1882). Included are letters received from his parents, siblings, and friends. A few letters written by Rutledge contain references to cadet life in the 1880s. The letter dated May 14, 1882 to his mother describes the mineral springs resort at Dagger's Springs, Virginia. Additional items include an 1882 VMI graduation invitation and a poem dedicated to the Class of 1882.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Correspondence
• Poetry
• Rutledge family
• Springs—Virginia
• Virginia Military Institute—Cadet life—1870-1879
• Virginia Military Institute—Cadet life—1880-1889
• Virginia Military Institute—Class of 1882