In the Battle of Hanging Rock in the Civil War, a retreat to West Virginia by Union General David Hunter was briefly disrupted by the forces of Confederate Generals Jubal A. Early and John McCausland. On June 21, 1864, Hunter and his men were seeking refuge after failing to capture Lynchburg, 60 miles to the east. About 100 union soldiers were killed partly because their way was blocked by trees that had been felled across the road. "On June 21, 1864 General Hunter, retreating from defeat at Lynchburg by General Early, met Confederate forces led by General John McCausland. After losing some of his artillery here, Hunter continued his withdrawal northwest through New Castle to Lewisburg." "Hunter retreated along the Lynchburg-Salem Turnpike in a wagon train that stretched for 11 miles. Union Gen. Alfred Duffie was ordered to burn the wool mill and depot at Bonsack, Virginia, cut telegraph wires and burn the rail depots in Big Lick and Salem. McCausland pursued Hunter by crossing the Peaks of Otter and headed toward Salem on the Great Valley Pike, which was a better road and a faster way to get to the Roanoke Valley. McCausland and Confederate Gen. Robert Ransom Jr.’s men caught Hunter’s army, which was slowed by the narrow gap through Hanging Rock up Catawba Mountain toward New Castle, Virginia. Local militia had blocked the road with fallen trees, further slowing the retreat." Maps Number 10 and 10a by Jedediah Hotchkiss, 1828-1899, concern the battle. "No. 10. Map of engagement at Hanging Rock, Roanoke County, Va., Tuesday June 21st 1864, to accompany report of Jed. Hotchkiss, Top. Eng., A.V.D. Scale 1:40,000 -- No. 10a. Map of engagement at Hanging Rock, Roanoke County, Va., Tuesday June 21st 1864. Scale 1:40,000."
Markers
There are several markers at the site commemorating the battle. One was placed there in 1932 by the United Daughters of the Confederacy. Another one commemorates the battle and was placed there by the Virginia Civil War Trails. Another marker, "" commemorates two future presidents, William McKinley and Rutherford B. Hayes, who were present at the conflict. Another marker described the attack, and was erected in 1999 by County of Roanoke, the City of Salem, and the Hanging Rock Battlefield and Railway Preservation Foundation. The United Daughters of the Confederacy also placed a marker commemorating the 100th anniversary of the battle. "." The inscription reads: "Commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the Skirmish at Hanging Rock, June 21, 1864. Erected by the William Watts Chapter, U. D. C. June 21, 1964."
