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Cadet Life: Civil War Order Books

Civil War top level Arms_ Small 

The first general order was issued from VMI Headquarters on November 11, 1839. The early order books are a particularly rich resource for understanding Institute history and the details of daily cadet life; in addition they contain official information about individual cadets and faculty members. Orders for the Civil War years provide insight into VMI's operation during the conflict and document the impact of war on cadets and faculty. The Institute's academic routine was disrupted throughout the war, as military training took precedence, many cadets left to join the CSA, and the remaining cadets were called upon to assist Confederate forces on several occasions, most notably at the Battle of New Market on May 15, 1864.

Full text transcriptions for selected periods.