Since 1866, generations of cadets have walked the grounds of the Virginia Military Institute with pride, unaware that beneath the very soil may lie the lost and largely forgotten history of their predecessors—cadets, veterans, musicians, staff, and one extraordinary man named Anderson “Old Judge” Dandridge.

A joint effort by alumni cadets, historians, and the Cadet Foundation is underway to rediscover and memorialize these long-lost burial and encampment sites. This groundbreaking project blends modern technology with historical research to locate and map three key sites tied to VMI’s early history:

• The Original Cadet Cemetery on VMI grounds (1866–1912)
• The Original Cadet Encampment on VMI grounds
• The VMI Section of Oak Grove Cemetery in Lexington, Virginia

Using Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), metal detection, and GIS mapping—paired with archival research—we aim to create a definitive, respectful record of the original cadet encampment and those who were once laid to rest on Institute grounds.

Why It Matters

This initiative is more than a historical exercise. It’s a solemn act of remembrance and institutional integrity. Among the individuals we seek to honor are:

• Cadet Yu-Hsiang Hu – A Chinese national who died in 1923 from tubercular meningitis. Sponsored by the Chinese government, he was buried with full military honors and now rests in the VMI Section of Oak Grove (formerly Jackson) Cemetery.
• Cadet John Miner Quarles, Class of 1868
• Cadets J.F. Bell and James Douglass Saunders
• Joseph Pennington – The Institute’s beloved barber
• Edward Steinmueller – Musician and veteran the the 7th Cavalry
• Lt. Col. Harry Williamson – Civil War veteran and former librarian

These individuals were part of the daily life and moral fabric of VMI. Some wore uniforms. Some taught. Some fell in service. All deserve to be remembered.

Project Goals

• Locate any unmarked and lost graves without excavation
• Digitally reconstruct the layout of the Cadet Cemetery and Encampment
• Investigate the likely burial site of Anderson “Old Judge” Dandridge – A formerly enslaved man, purchased and freed by VMI, honored and respected by cadets, who served VMI cadets faithfully for over 30 years, including John Brown’s hanging, the Battle of NewMarket, protecting VMI historical documents during Hunter’s Raid, and more. His burial site remains unknown.
• Produce interactive maps, public exhibits, and permanent markers
• Deliver a final report to guide VMI’s preservation and planning efforts

Join the Mission

This is a call to alumni, descendants, historians, and friends of VMI: Help us preserve this sacred trust.

Your support will help fund:

• Cutting-edge GPR and metal detection surveys
• Archival research and digitization
• Public interpretation and memorial installations
• Volunteer coordination and community outreach

Whether you are a VMI graduate, family member, historian, or simply someone who believes in honoring the past, your gift can ensure these stories are not lost to time.

Make a Contribution

To contribute to the Cadet Cemetery & Encampment Project, visit our Donation Page or contact:

Cadet Foundation
 [info@thecadetfoundation.org]
  The Cadet Foundation
  c/o 214 Terrebonne Road
  Yorktown, Virginia 23692

All donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

Be Part of Something Greater

This project stands as a model for institutions across the South grappling with lost cemeteries and under-acknowledged histories. By helping us tell the whole story of VMI’s past—including those whose names were nearly erased—you are making a meaningful contribution to remembrance, reconciliation, and historical truth.

Let us honor the forgotten.
Let us restore what was lost.
Let us preserve the legacy.