Hanging Rock in Roanoke County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

McCausland Attacks

Hanging Rock Battlefield Trail

Photographed By Kevin W., December 28, 2008

1. McCausland Attacks Marker

Inscription. Near the site, on the morning of June 21, 1864, Union Major General David Hunter’s ambulances, artillery, and supply and munitions wagons crossed the ford at Mason’s Creek. The wagon train stalled, and was left unprotected because U.S. Brig. General Alexander Duffie had moved his cavalry ahead to Catawba Mountain.

Just before 9:00 A.M., Confederate Major General Robert Ransom turned over his front-line cavalry to Confederate Brig. General John McCausland, and some sixty of those troops rode down through Hanging Rock Gap to attack the exposed wagons and artillery. The Confederate cavalry palyed havoc with the Union cannons, munitions wagons, and their drivers.

When he heard the explosions and noises of battle, Hunter ordered Brig. General William Averell’s cavalry forward, along with infantry support, to fight off McCausland’s assault. The arrival of Averell’s soldiers forced the Confederates to pull back from the gap.

Erected 1999 by County of Roanoke, the City of Salem, and the Hanging Rock Battlefield and Railway Preservation Foundation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is June 21, 1900.

Location. 37° 19.57′ N, 80° 2.546′ W. Marker is in Hanging Rock, Virginia

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, in Roanoke County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Thompson Memorial Drive (Virginia Route 311) and Kessler Mill Drive. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Salem VA 24153, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Hanging Rock Coal Trestle (within shouting distance of this marker); Two Future Presidents In Wartime Retreat (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Battle of Hanging Rock (approx. 0.2 miles away); George Morgan Jones (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named The Battle of Hanging Rock (approx. 0.2 miles away); United Daughters of the Confederacy Monuments (approx. 0.2 miles away); Hanging Rock Battlefield Trail (approx. 0.2 miles away); Hanging Rock (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hanging Rock.

More about this marker. Marker is one of several interpretive signs along the cinder-surfaced, 1.7-mile long Hanging Rock Battlefield Trail that winds along Mason Creek and Kessler Mill Road in Salem, Virginia.

Portraits on the marker include: Major General Robert Ransom, CSA (first row, left), Brigadier General John McCausland, CSA (first row, right), Brigadier General Alexander Duffie, USA (second row, left), Major General David Hunter, USA (second row, center), and Brigadier General William Averell, USA
Photographed By Kevin W., December 28, 2008

2. Closeup of portraits on the McCausland Attacks Marker
(second row, right)

Photographed By Kevin W., December 28, 2008

3. McCausland Attacks Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on January 7, 2009, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,732 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 7, 2009, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.