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Virginia Military Institute Archives
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Funding: Web version of the finding aid funded in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.
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Lexington Arsenal and Virginia Militia Records, mss 00244, Virginia Military Institute Archives, Lexington, Virginia.
In 1816 the Virginia legislature provided for the establishment of three arsenals to care for the state's accumulation of munitions. One of the three was constructed in Lexington, Virginia, on the site of what is now the Virginia Military Institute. The arsenal opened in 1818 under the command of Captain James Paxton, and the guard stationed there was responsible for approximately 30,000 stand of arms. Although the size of the detachment stationed at the Lexington Arsenal varied somewhat from year to year, it generally consisted of the captain, a sergeant, one or two corporals, ten to thirteen privates, and a few employees among whom were musicians. This arrangement was maintained until 1839, when the Virginia Military Institute opened on the site of the arsenal and the arsenal guard was replaced by the new VMI cadets.
The collection consists of two series. The first series contains miscellaneous records (1702; 1793-1814; 17 items) relating to the Virginia Militia, including regimental returns for various militia units. This material pre-dates the establishment of the state arsenal at Lexington, Virginia, but the documents were found among the Lexington arsenal records also contained in this collection. Two of the documents date from the British colonial period (1702).
The second series (1819-1839) contains 30 items concerning the operation of the state arsenal at Lexington, Virginia. Included are payrolls and other financial records, guard returns and muster rolls, and two enlistment documents.
This series contains regimental returns for various Virginia Militia units and miscellaneous other documents relating to the Virginia Militia. This material pre-dates the establishment of the arsenal at Lexington, Virginia, but the material was found among the Lexington Arsenal records also contained in this collection. Two of the documents date from the British colonial period (1702).
Chronological.
"A return of the Militia in the 53d Regiment in the County of Campbell commanded by William Henderson, together with a return of arms etc. belonging to said Regiment."
"Return of the militia in the 91st Regiment in the county of Bedford commanded by John Trigg Lieut. Col. Commandt., together with a return of arms etc. belonging to said regiment."
"Return of militia in the 91st Regiment in the county of Bedford commanded by John Trigg Lieut. Commandt., together with a return of arms etc. belonging to said regiment."
"A return of the Militia ordered to be in readiness to march at a moments warning from the 43 Regiment Franklin County. Samuel Hairston, in the absence of Col. John Early."
Signed by Daniel B. Berrow, Colonel.
"A return of the 18th Regiment of Militia, Patrick County, State of Virginia, including the Arms, Ammunition & Accoutrements in their possession, George Penn, Lt. Col."
"A return of the sixty fourth Regiment being part of the twelveth Brigade of the Militia of the State of Virginia, including the arms, ammunition, & accoutrements in their possession."
"A return of the 91st Regiment being part of the 12th Brigade of the Militia of the State of Virginia, including the arms, ammunition, & accoutrements in their possession."
"A return of the 53rd Regiment being part of the 12th Brigade of the Militia of the State of Virginia, including the arms, ammunition, & accoutrements in their possession in Nov. 1802."
"A return of the 110th Regiment including the arms, ammunition, & accoutrements in their possession, Samuel Hairston Lt. Col. Com."
Signed by Governor Henry Lee. Appointing John Foster from Orange County Ensign in the second Battalion, Third Regiment Militia.
Signed by Governor James Wood. Appointing John Foster "Ensign of a company of Light Infantry in the third Regiment, and Second Division."
Chronological.
"Two pounds, two shillings & nine pence"
"Regimental Morning Report Colonel Dudley Evans, Joseph Allen Adjutant, Total 686."
Issued by Adjutant General's Office, Richmond, Virginia, re: "changes in the uniform of the Army of the United States."
The state arsenal at Lexington, Virginia opened in 1818 and operated until November 1839, when it was replaced by the Virginia Military Institute.
Names on the payroll: James Paxton (Captain), Samuel Lasley, Rodk [Roderick?]King, John Spooner, James Barnett, Alexander Briant, John Mays, James Hening, Wilford Downs, David Craig, Benjamin Downs, James Edsal, Elias Wood, William McCrery, Ezekiel Kirby, Andrew Hincher, Thomas Jones, John Short, James R. Collins, James Smith, Jessee Pannal, James Page, William Brown, Chesly Woodard, William B. Smith, Benjamin Bowler, Granvill Doores.
Names on the payroll: James Paxton (Captain), Wilfred Downs, William H. Knap, James Smith, William Suthard, John Clark, Silas Rogers, Archibald Downey, William Lewis, John Mays, Henry Peterman, Angus McLaughlin, Michael Robinson, Thomas Johnson, Fayette.
Names on the payroll: David E. Moore (Captain), Jacob Moses (Sergeant), John T. Giles (Corporal), Andrew Gass (Corporal), Thomas Burton, Elijzh Coomer, John Davis (1st), James Barron, William Cunningham, Jospeh Hockman, John Masterson, James Smith, William Suthard, John Davis (2nd), [illegible]
For period March 1- April 11, 1834.
Names on payroll: David E. Moore (Captain), John Oringderff, Richard Anderson, Valentine Franklin, Thomas Anderson, Berry Epperson, John Flint, Andrew Gass, Joseph Hockman, John Pavo [Povo?], James Robinson, Thomas Smith, Benjamin F. Steele, James Vandegraff, Isaac Walton, James H. Wiglesworth, George W. Rowsey, Daniel Ward, Jack.
Names on payroll: David E. Moore (Captain), John Oringderff, Richard Anderson, Valentine Franklin, Thomas Anderson, Berry Epperson, Samuel Flint, Andrew Gass, Joseph Hockman, John Pavo, James Robinson, Thomas Smith, Benjamin F. Steele, James Vandegraff, Isaac Walton, James H. Wiglesworth, George W. Rowsey, Daniel Ward, Jack.
Letter of explanation on reverse; signed by Captain James Paxton.
For various sundries & dry goods, including material for a shroud for John Pointer.
A bound volume, primarily accounts for provisions and rations.
"The Arsenal at Lexington contains 30601 muskets, 1001 rifles, 87 carbines, 30 cavalry swords."
For freight on box of clothing.
For repairs to Lexington Arsenal
For payment as fifer.
Payment for freight.
For clothing due on discharge.
For returning soldier E. McCraw who was in jail in Lynchburg.
Discharge bounty
Final pay upon discharge.
Some muster rolls are also located in the bound Account Book listed under Financial Records above.
Appended to bottom is the note: "No recruits enlisted since last return. The following supply of clothing will be necessary for the guard at the arsenal during the ensuing winter..."
Includes note concerning the receipt of clothing.
Names on muster roll: D. E. Moore (Captain), John Orindorf, R. Anderson, V. Franklin, J. Vandegriff, T. Anderson, B. Epperson, Samuel Flint, J. Povo, G. W. Rowsey, F. G. Steele, William Smith, I. Walton, J. H. Wigglesworth, A W. Eaton, William Eaton, M. Slagle.
"...born in the county of Rockingham ..aged 22 years, 5 feet 3 inches high...by profession a tailor...."
"...born in the town of Coblentz and empire of Germany, aged 20 years, 5 feet 4 inches...by profession a tobacconist...."