GMI was established in Marietta, Georgia, on July 1, 1851.
The campus consisted of 110 acres (0.45 km²).

Seven students started classes in July and 28 men were in attendance by the end of the first year.

GMI operated regularly until the spring of 1864 when the cadets were formed into two companies and deployed to West Point, Georgia, as a result of the Civil War.

During the course of the Civil War, superintendent Francis W. Capers sent cadets to use as drill instructors for CSA, and other cadets volunteered or were drafted.
On May 14, 1864, GMI cadets fought in the Battle of Resaca and made contact with the 9th Illinois Mounted Infantry regiment.
After this single engagement, the cadets were pulled off the front line.

The empty campus was burned by Sherman's troops on November 15, 1864.
Following the Civil War, Georgia Military Institute was not rebuilt.
In its place was founded North Georgia Agricultural College in Dahlonega, as the Military College of Georgia.

To honor the legacy of GMI, the Georgia Army National Guard named its Officer Candidate School after it in 1961.
In 2008, GMI returned to Marietta.
GMI was established in Marietta, Georgia, on July 1, 1851. The campus consisted of 110 acres (0.45 km²).
Seven students started classes in July and 28 men were in attendance by the end of the first year.
GMI operated regularly until the spring of 1864 when the cadets were formed into two companies and deployed to West Point, Georgia, as a result of the Civil War.
During the course of the Civil War, superintendent Francis W. Capers sent cadets to use as drill instructors for CSA, and other cadets volunteered or were drafted. On May 14, 1864, GMI cadets fought in the Battle of Resaca and made contact with the 9th Illinois Mounted Infantry regiment. After this single engagement, the cadets were pulled off the front line.
The empty campus was burned by Sherman's troops on November 15, 1864. Following the Civil War, Georgia Military Institute was not rebuilt. In its place was founded North Georgia Agricultural College in Dahlonega, as the Military College of Georgia.
To honor the legacy of GMI, the Georgia Army National Guard named its Officer Candidate School after it in 1961. In 2008, GMI returned to Marietta.
Georgia Military Institute