Title Page | Collection Summary | Biographical/Organizational Note | Scope and Content | Arrangement
Biographical Note
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 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-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.-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 |