VMI Archives Historical Rosters: William Caruthers Preston

Historical Rosters Database

William Caruthers Preston

Roster ID 1712
This is a summary. Contact the Archives for additional biographical information.

First Name:	William
Middle Name:	Caruthers
Last Name:	Preston
Suffix:
Affiliation:	Class of 1864
Biography & Genealogy:	William Caruthers Preston, Class of 1864: Born- October 21, 1843. Matriculated from Lexington, Va. At VMI 7 months over 2 years (entered as a sophomore). Enlisted August 6, 1862 as Private, Company I, 4th Virginia. Mortally Wounded in Action August 28, 1862 at Groveton. (Some records say joined August 29 and Killed in Action that evening). Died- August 29, 1862. Buried on battlefield on what is now a gold course (there is a two-stroke penalty for hitting a ball into the small fenced area around the grave). As of late 1998 there is a proposal afoot to move the remains to the family plot in Lexington. Son of Col J.T.L. Preston, VMI faculty.

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The database currently includes the names of all enrolled students (both graduates and non-graduates) from VMI's opening in 1839 through the World War II era. In addition, you will find biographical and genealogical information, including a summary of military service during the Civil War, for many individuals who attended in the 19th century. The database also includes some historical Faculty and Board of Visitors members, as well as U. S. Army students sent to VMI for training during World Wars I and II. The latter groups were not VMI cadets. For further information about an ancestor listed in the database, please contact the VMI Archives. We can check the complete record, let you know if other information available, and provide copies of original documents. This database is for historical research. We do not release information about living individuals.