Hanging Rock, Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hanging Rock
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 Hanging Rock, Virginia
Location in Virginia
Hanging Rock, Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Virginia |
| County | Roanoke |
| Elevation | 1,115 ft (340 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
24019
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| Area code | 540 |
| FIPS code | 51-35144 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1499521 |
Hanging Rock is a small community in Roanoke County, Virginia, in the United States. It's called Hanging Rock because of a large rock outcrop nearby. This community is located just north of Salem. The main roads, Virginia State Route 311 and Virginia State Route 419, meet right here.
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The Battle of Hanging Rock
Hanging Rock is famous for a battle that happened during the Civil War. On June 21, 1864, Union General David Hunter and his soldiers were trying to retreat to West Virginia. They had just lost a battle in Lynchburg, about 60 miles away.
A Tricky Retreat
As General Hunter's troops moved, they were slowed down. Local groups had cut down trees to block the roads. This made it hard for the Union soldiers to get through. About 100 Union soldiers were killed during this time.
Confederate Generals Jubal A. Early and John McCausland caught up with Hunter's army. The Union soldiers were moving slowly through a narrow path near Hanging Rock. They were trying to get over Catawba Mountain towards New Castle, Virginia.
Following the Armies
General Hunter's army was retreating along a road called the Lynchburg-Salem Turnpike. Today, this road is part of U.S. 460. Their wagon train, carrying supplies, stretched for 11 miles! Union General Alfred Duffie was told to burn buildings and cut telegraph wires to slow down the Confederates.
Meanwhile, General McCausland chased Hunter's army. He used a faster road called the Great Valley Pike. This road is now similar to parts of I-81 and U.S. Route 11. McCausland and Confederate General Robert Ransom Jr.'s men were able to catch up because Hunter's army was stuck.
Maps of the Battle
A mapmaker named Jedediah Hotchkiss created maps of this battle. These maps show how the armies moved during the fight on June 21, 1864. They help us understand what happened that day.
Markers and Memorials
Today, you can find several markers at Hanging Rock that remember the battle. These markers help people learn about this important event in history.
Remembering the Past
One marker was put up in 1932 by the United Daughters of the Confederacy. Another marker was placed by the Virginia Civil War Trails. These markers tell the story of the battle.
Future Presidents at the Battle
There's also a special marker called "Two Future Presidents In Wartime Retreat: Hanging Rock Battlefield Trail". This marker points out that two future presidents of the United States were at this battle! They were William McKinley and Rutherford B. Hayes. They were soldiers fighting in the Civil War.
Local Efforts to Remember
In 1999, the County of Roanoke, the City of Salem, and the Hanging Rock Battlefield and Railway Preservation Foundation put up another marker. This one describes the attack in more detail.
The United Daughters of the Confederacy also placed a marker in 1964. This marker celebrated the 100th anniversary of the battle. It says: "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."
