Hotchkiss, Jedediah, 1828-1899

Confederate Army officer, topographical and mining engineer, and historian.

From the description of Jedediah Hotchkiss papers, 1835-1908 (bulk 1875-1898). (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 317574630

Jedediah Hotchkiss, of Staunton, Va., served with the Confederate States Army Corps of Engineers, with primary duties of map-making during the Army's Virginia campaigns. After the war, he became an author, lecturer, and editor and continued to produce maps, especially for various Civil War histories.

From the description of Papers, 1868-1895. (Virginia Historical Society Library). WorldCat record id: 30891165

Biographical Note

• 1828, Nov. 30: Born, Windsor, Broome County, N.Y.
• 1846: Graduated from Windsor Academy, New Windsor, N.Y.
• 1846 - 1847 : Taught school, Lykens Valley, Pa.
• 1847: Walking tour, Cumberland Valley of Maryland and Pennsylvania and Shenandoah Valley, Va. Tutored in home of Daniel Forrer, Luray, Va. Founded Mossy Creek Academy, Augusta County, Va.
• 1853: Married Sara Anne Comfort
• 1858: Resigned as headmaster of Mossy Creek Academy, Augusta County, Va., and organized Loch Willow School for Boys at Churchville, Augusta County, Va.
• 1861: Reported for military duty as topographical engineer with the Army of Northwest Virginia near Parkersburg, Va. Engaged in mapping operations in vicinity of Rich Mountain, W. Va.
• 1862: Assigned as topographical engineer with Stonewall Jackson's staff near Woodstock, Va.; began mapping Shenandoah Valley from Potomac River to Lexington, Va. Guided Jeb Stuart's troops from Sharpsburg to Shepherdstown, Va.
• 1862, Dec.: Staff duty at Fredericksburg, Va.
• 1862 - 1863 : In winter quarters with Stonewall Jackson at Moss Neck, Va.
• 1863, Apr - 1863 May : Night reconnaissance and mapping operations for Chancellorsville; assigned to staff of Richard Ewell after death of Stonewall Jackson,
• 1863, July: Observed troop movements from Seminary Ridge at Gettysburg, Pa.
• 1864, Mar. - 1864 May : Engaged in mapping duties during Wilderness Campaign and Second Cold Harbor
• 1864, Oct.: Drew maps for Cedar Creek engagement against Philip Sheridan
• 1864 - 1865 : In winter quarters at Staunton, Va.
• 1865: Paroled in Staunton, Va. Organized “select school for sons of fellow soldiers,” Churchville, Va. Established office as mining engineer, Staunton, Va.
• 1867: Published with William Allan The Battle-Fields of Virginia. Chancellorsville... New York: D. Van Nostrand
• 1870 - 1871 : Acting superintendent of schools, Augusta County, Va.
• 1872 - 1875 : Spent winters in England and Scotland
• 1873: Began survey of Great Flat-Top Coal Range in West Virginia
• 1876: Published Virginia; a Geographical and Political Summary, Richmond, Va.: R. F. Walker, Superintendent of Public Printing
• 1877: Published Hotchkiss' Geography of Virginia, Richmond, Va.: A. Hoen
• 1878: Appointed expert special agent of the census for Virginia
• 1880: Began six-year publication of The Virginias, a periodical promoting the state's resources
• 1882: Purchased large coal tract on Cabin Creek, Kanawha Valley, W. Va.
• 1884: Served as Virginia commissioner at World's Industrial and Cotton Centennial Exposition, New Orleans, La. Ran as independent Congressional candidate from 10th District of Virginia
• 1893: Served as judge for mining exhibits at World's Columbian Exposition, Chicago, Ill.
• 1894: Headed antisaloon campaign, Staunton, Va.
• 1899, Jan. 17: Died, Staunton, Va.
• 1899: Posthumous publication of Virginia, [Atlanta]: Confederate Publishing Company, Vol. 3 of Confederate Military History

From the guide to the Jedediah Hotchkiss Papers, 1835-1908, (bulk 1875-1898), (Manuscript Division Library of Congress)