school was able to formally separate from Washington College on November 11, 1839, although by agreement it continued to provide services to that school's students for the next six years. Practical military training began at VMI in the spring of 1840.
In 1839, the first cadet to march a sentinel post was Private John Strange. With few exceptions, there have been sentinels posted at VMI every hour of every day of the school year since November 11, 1839.
The Class of 1842 graduated 16 cadets. Living conditions were poor until 1850 when the cornerstone of the new barracks was laid. In 1851 Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson became a member of the faculty and professor of Natural and Experimental Philosophy. Under Major Jackson and Major William Gilham, VMI infantry and artillery units were present at the hanging of John Brown at Charles Town, Virginia (now West Virginia) in 1859.
=== Founding of the VMI Museum ===
In a letter dated February 27, 1845, addressed to William S. Beale, VMI Class of 1843, Superintendent Smith …
