Conditions Governing Use

The materials from Washington and Lee University Special Collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used should be fully credited with the source. Permission for publication of this material, in part or in full, must be secured with the Head of Special Collections.

Ownership and Custodial History

Original owned by Ray and Cindy Ledgerwood of Pullman, Wash. Copy sent to Harold Howard of Lynchburg, who passed the copy along to Col. Robert Driver.

Preferred Citation

Preferred citation: [Identification of item], Michael Reid Hanger Diary, WLU Coll. 0173, Special Collections, Leyburn Library, Washington and Lee University, Lexington, VA.

In some cases the citation format may vary. Please contact Special Collections staff to verify the appropriate format.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Col. Robert Driver, 1994.

Biographical / Historical

Michael Reid Hanger was born in Staunton, Virginia in 1840. He enlisted in the Rockbridge Rifles, C.S.A in 1861 and deserted to Union forces in 1864.

Scope and Contents

This typescript of a diary by Private Michael Reid Hanger of the Rockbridge Rifles, which was part of the 4th, 5th, and 27th Virginia Infantry regiments at different times during the American Civil War, includes descriptions of military action within the Shenandoah Valley and Fairfax County, as well as the First Battle of Bull Run. Stonewall Jackson, Rockbridge County citizen and soldier James K. Edmondson, and several Washington College alumni are mentioned. Text of the diary is supplemented by extensive annotated footnotes by Robert Driver.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Diaries
• Edmondson, James K., Colonel
• Jackson, Thomas Jonathan (Stonewall)
• Military leadership
• Personal narratives -- Confederate
• United States -- Shenandoah River Valley
• Virginia -- Fairfax County