VMI Archives
archives@vmi.edu
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The latest research indicates that of the approximately 1,930 Virginia Military Institute (VMI) alumni who were living at the beginning of the Civil War (1861-1865), 1,827 served in some capacity (94.7%). Of those who served, 240 died. One hundred and seventy-one alumni were killed or mortally wounded in action while 69 died from disease or other causes while in service.
Though many alumni fought for the Confederacy, approximately 19 fought for the Union.
The VMI Corps of Cadets, numbering 257, fought in the Battle of New Market, Virginia. Ten cadets were killed in battle or died later as a result of their wounds.
During the Civil War, cadets life was governed by VMI regulations set forth in 1854. The Register for Officers and Cadets served as a course catalog for cadets, providing a course list, instructors, and required materials.
Cadet ages ranged from 15 to 25, but most cadets during the Civil War were between 17 and 21.
The best glimpse into cadet life during this period is from cadet collections, including:
Use the timeline below to explore significant VMI events during the Civil War.
November: A contingent of the VMI Corps of Cadets were dispatched to Charles Town, West Virginia following John Brown's raid on the Harper's Ferry arsenal. Cadets stood guard at Brown's execution on December 2nd, 1859.
April: The Corps were sent to Richmond, Virginia, where cadets drilled Confederate army recruits. The commanding officer during this trip was Stonewall Jackson, who had joined VMI's faculty in 1851 as Professor of Natural and Experimental Philosophy and Instructor of Artillery. Jackson accepted a commission and left for active duty soon after the Corps arrived in Richmond.
January: VMI reopens. First class cadets graduated early and were already serving in the military.
May: The Corps were ordered to aid Jackson's forces during the McDowell campaign. The cadets, commanded by Scott Shipp, marched in pursuit of Union troops but did not engage in battle.
May: Jackson died on May 10 from wounds received at the Battle of Chancellorsville, Virginia, and his body was returned to Lexington, Virginia for burial.
August-December: The Corps were called into the field to defend against the raids of General William Averell but did not engage in battle.
May 15: The Battle of New Market takes place. The Corps, under the command of Scott Shipp, marched into battle along with General John C. Breckinridge's forces against Union troops led by General Franz Sigel. Ten cadets were mortally wounded in this battle.
June 11: Union troops under the command of General David Hunter, entered Lexington, Virginia. The Corps retreated to a camp in the Blue Ridge near Balcony Falls, Virginia.
June 12: VMI was burned by Hunter's soldiers.
June 25: The Corps returned to Lexington, only to be furloughed two days later.
October 1: The Corps assembled at Camp Lee near Richmond, Virginia. They engaged in military duties in trenches around Richmond, but no academic work took place.
October 27: The Corps encamped at Poe's Farm, Virginia as infantry support for nearby battery. At this time, the Corps comprised part of the Confederate Forces of the Department of Richmond.
December 12: The Corps moved from Poe's Farm to Alms House, Richmond where some cadets were granted a 10-day furlough to procure clothing and supplies.
December 28: Academic work resumed at the Alms House in Richmond, which was VMI's temporary headquarters.
April 2: The Corps disbanded at the Alms House, the day before the evacuation of Richmond, Virginia by Confederate Forces. Each cadet found his way home or elsewhere as best he could. A considerable number of them followed the canal to Columbia, Fluvanna County, Virginia, and dispersed there.
October 17: VMI reopened in Lexington, Virginia and academic work resumed just six months after the end of the Civil War.