Historical Rosters Database

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John Barry Purcell

Roster ID 3159
This is a summary. Contact the Archives for additional biographical information.
First Name:John
Middle Name:Barry
Last Name:Purcell
Suffix:
Affiliation:Class of 1868
Biography & Genealogy:John Barry Purcell, Class of 1868 (graduated 3 out of 11). Born- September 17, 1849. Matriculated from Richmond, Va. At VMI 3 years, 2 months. Military Record: Enlisted July 27, 1864 at Richmond in Company G, 3rd Virginia Local Defense Troops. Elected 1st Sergeant at unknown date in 1864. (Some, unofficial, sources say he enlisted in 1863 in earlier incarnation of the company that served for 6 months.) Discharged January 25, 1865 to enter VMI. With Corps in Richmond trenches until it disbanded April 2, 1865. Paroled at Richmond April 22, 1865 as Private, Corps of Cadets. Post War Career: Druggist; banker. Captain, Company C, 1st Virginia Volunteers 1871; Lt Col 1877; Colonel 1879. Resigned February 2, 1882. On VMI Board of Visitors 1879-82. On Advisory Board, Confederate Memorial Literary Society 1895. Died- September 24, 1916.

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About the Database

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.

VMI Archives
Virginia Military Institute
Lexington, VA 24450
archives@vmi.edu
540-464-7516