Download or read book William H. McDowell, the 'Ghost Cadet': Letter from Rebecca McDowell Regarding Her Son's Virginia Military Institute (VMI) Application written by and published by . This book was released on with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Virginia Military Institute (VMI) Archives presents the text of a June 1, 1863 letter written by Rebecca McDowell, the mother of Confederate cadet Private William McDowell (1846-1864). The letter was addressed to the superintendent of the VMI, and concerned William's application to the institute. The children's book "The Ghost Cadet" contains a fictional account of McDowell's participation in the Battle of New Market.