A Map of the Valley LbNA #54079

March 26, 1862: “In the morning our battalion was ordered back to Narrow Passage, … near the rest of the army. Hd. Qrs. were established at Miss Stover’s, in the stone house, near Narrow Passage Creek. Soon after we reached camp, Gen. Jackson sent me a message that he wished to see me. I promptly reported, when he said, after some general conversation about my topographical work in Northwestern Virginia last year, “I want you to make me a map of the Valley, from Harper’s Ferry to Lexington, showing all the points of offence and defence in those places. Mr. Pendleton will give you orders for whatever outfit you want. Good morning, Sir.”

The meeting described took place here. Jedediah Hotchkiss recorded this entry in his diary three days after the defeat of Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson’s Valley Army at Kernstown, Virginia. Hotchkiss immediately began his assigned task and soon advised Jackson to move the army farther south to Rude’s Hill. Hotchkiss’ maps and advice proved to be invaluable to Jackson during his famous Valley Campaign of 1862. Following Jackson’s death, Hotchkiss continued his cartographic duties, serving under Gens. Richard S. Ewell and Jubal A. Early. Fully one-half of the Confederate maps published in the Official Atlas of the Civil War are attributed to him. Following the war, Hotchkiss became a most valuable source for scholars endeavoring to write absolutely accurate accounts of the conflict. He also became a respected lecturer to large audiences on the East Coast on a variety of war topics.

The letterbox can be found to the left of the Civil War Marker and includes a few small trinkets and a log.