This file consists of correspondence between Stuart and his parents. It also consists of commencement material, where Irwin was the valedictorian. Stuart's letter to the president of the school applying for reinstatment (because of lack of credits) and the dean's response are included. Stuart was reinstated on strict probation.

This collection contains two original manuscript copies and one photocopy of Samuel H. Chester's valedictory address given on June 27, 1872 at Washington and Lee University. It also contains correspondence about the presence of this address in the University's Special Collections and Archives.