VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE, a State school located at Lexington, Va. It was established in 1&39 by act of the legislature and opened to students in the same year. It is gov erned by a board of visitors consisting of the superintendent of public instruction and the adjutant-general, members ex-offici to and nate other members appointed from different sec tions of the State by the governor with the approval of the senate. In accordance with the laws of Virginia the professors and officers hold commissions in the State ntilitia, and the stu dents are organized as a military corps of cadets. The school played an important part during the Civil War ; in April 1861 the cadets were or dered to Richmond, where they took part in drilling volunteers; in 1862 the Institute was reopened, and in May 1864 the cadet corps was ordered out for active service and took a lead ing part in the battle of New Maricet, Va. During the war the cadets were in active service 13 months. In June 1864 the buildings and equipment were burned by the Federal army; in October 1865 the Institute was reopened, the buildings and equipment rapidly restored and the course of instruction greatly improved and extended. The regular course covers four years and though largely scientific and techni cal include some general culture subjects. The
work of the first two years is the same for all and includes- English, a foreign language, science, mathematics and drawing, none of tine courses being elective; at the end of the second year students may elect between courses in civil engineering, applied chemistry and electricity; the degree of B.S. is conferred for the com pletion of any of these courses. There is also post-graduate work offered leading to the de grees of C.E. or M.S. For military instruc tion and dnll the cadets are organized in a battalion of four companies; the discipline is strict, the regulations being based on those of West Point. Instruction is given in infantry and artillery tactics, ordnance and gunnery, mih tary science and the art of war and military engineering. A certain number of cadets, not less than 50, are admitted each year as State cadets, without charge for tuition or board. The Institute is located outside the city on a hill overlooking Wood's Creek; the new aca demic building was completed in 1900. The library contains about 15,000 volumes, the stu deus number 3Z5 and the faculty and military staff 25. Since the foundation of the school in 1839 there have been about 7,000 matriculates, of whom Z500 became full graduates.