Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1899-01-26
JEO HOTCHKISS' CAREER.

J6O tn IV7NiOV OAu66tt'
Maj. Jed Hotchkiss, who passe'
away at his home in Staunton, Va.
on Tuesday, was one of the most re
markable men of his generation. Borl
near Binghampton. N. Y, as Yanke
school teacher he settled near Stauntol
in the early fifties. AS received from
his own lips, he was teaching schOo
just across the State line in Pennsyl
vaDia when he and a brother schOo
teacher decided that they would spent
their vacation by making a tour of thu
Shenandoah Valley on foot.
Hotchkiss became delighted with thu
people, the fertility of the soil, and
the picturesque scenery. Subsequently
at the solicitation of gentlemen in the
vicinity of StauntOn, he established
an academy for young men near that
beautiful town.
Here Maj. Hotchkiss was when the
war between the States began in 1861.
| His services were soon offered to the
Confederate government and promptly
accepted. During his residence in
Virginia he had surveyed a goodly
portion of the State and had informed
himself most thoroughly upon its min
eral resources. His knowledge of the
Topography of the State was destined
in good time to become valuable not
only to himself. but to the government
and the State itself.
Maj. Hotchkiss was soon offered and
accepted the position of military en-
gineer on the staff of Stonewall Jack
son, where he remained until that great
soldier accidentally fell from the bullets
of his own men while accommodating
the enemy's position in front OF Chan
cellorsville, on the evening of May
2, 1868.
1t was Hotchkiss. as narrated by
him to the writer many years ago, who
found the way by which jackson made
that remarkable march around Hook
er's front on that memorable occasion,
and in which he succeeded in surprising
and stampeding HoOker's right wing,
composed of Howard s Eleventh Corps.
Hotchkiss said that, after having
spent the night previous in exploring
for roads by which the feat could be
accomplished, he sought Jackson with
all possible speed. He found him just
as the day was dawning near the old
tabernacle church, which is a short dis
lance east of Charlottesville, seated
with Lee on a cracker box. Both
generals we're in close conference over
the situation, which at that time was
none too bright. AS soon as jackson
caught sight of Hotchkiss he eagerly
ordered him to approach and report.
Lee and Jackson listened attentively.
A private consultation was hastily
held between Lee and jackson. At
it's conclusion Lee was heard to ask,
"When do you propose to move gener-
a1?" Jackson's terse answer was "At
once" Lee responded, ''Vefy well,
SIR" Jackson proceeded at once, said
Hotchkiss, to put his corps in motion,
and swinging himself into the saddle,
passed on after his men. This was
destined to be the last time Lee was to
see in life his great lieutenant.
1t was also Hotchkiss who led Ear
ly's men on to Sheridan's left flank at
Cedar Run in 1864. Early had long
been seeking to strike mortal blow
at Sheridan, who had on more than
one occasion proved himself foeman
dangerous to be trifled with. Hotchkiss
daily secuted along the base of the
Massanutton range, and finally, after
much labor, discovered a fOothpath by
which an attacking party could, by
marching single file, reach the enemy's
flank. The tedious and difficult march
was made in the night without suspi-
cion on the part of the Federal SEN
tries. At day break Gordon fell on the
Federal left wing like a thunderbolt
from clear sky. The attack was
success and Sheridan's men were driven
back several miles before being rallied
by the magnetic and skilful Sheridan,
who turned what promised to be an
appalling disaster to our men into
glorious victory for the Federal arms.
Subsequent to the war Hotchkiss de-
voted himself to developing the mineral
and other resources of Virginia.
Probably no man in the State has
done more in that direction. In the
meantime he found leisure to write the
best book Oh Charlottesville that has
yet been written. He personally sur
veyed the battle ground after the bat
tie, and his maps are the most accurate
Of the field thus far published. He
also lectured on various subjects East
and West.
Mai. Hotchkiss was giant in stat
ure, a man of indomitable will and I'M
questionable courage. His broad Gull
ture, optimistic views. genial manners
and sterling honesty drew to his side
host of friends. That he was implic-
lilly trusted by Jackson and became
member of his military family is
sufficient tribute to the soldier, scholar
and gentleman, who at green old age
has been gathered to his fathers.
l.. D. SALE.
Washington. Jan. IS, 1889.