John F. Hanna cadet diary
Hanna's diary contains a colorful account of life at VMI and in Lexington during the spring of 1864. Entries begin April 17, 1864 and end May 9, 1864. On May 10, the cadets were called to active duty at the request of Gen. John C. Breckinridge and on May 15 participated in the Battle of New Market. The entries contain comments about VMI activities and people, Lexington social life, and discussion of personal concerns.
This volume was picked up by a Union soldier, probably when Union forces occupied Lexington in June 1864. It was ultimately fell into the hands of Septimus Knight of the 15th Pennsylvania Cavalry. The notebook was used by Knight as a diary; entries date from August 1862 (apparently copied from an earlier diary or notes) through June 1868. Most entries relate the movements and activities of the 15th Pennsylvania Cavalry. Knight's section of the volume has not been transcribed. Researchers who are interested the 15th Pennsylvania should contact the Archives to request photocopies.
Dates
- 1864 - 1868
Creator
Conditions Governing Access
Conditions Governing Use
Extent
1 items
Biographical / Historical
Physical Location
Online Access
- Culpeper County (Va.) -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865
- Davis, Thomas D. (Thomas Dixon), 1843-1925
- Diaries
- Gilham, William, 1818-1872
- Lexington (Va.) -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865
- Lexington (Va.) -- Social life and customs
- New Market Cadets
- Shriver, Samuel S. (Samuel Sprigg), 1843-1881
- Smith, Edward H. (Edward Harvie), 1845-1912
- United States -- Army -- Pennsylvania Cavalry Regiment, 15th (1862-1865)
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Personal narratives
- Virginia Military Institute -- Cadet life -- 1860-1869
- Virginia Military Institute -- Cadet life -- 1861-1865
- Virginia Military Institute -- Class of 1864
- Virginia Military Institute -- Curricula
- Virginia Military Institute -- Faculty -- Anecdotes
- Virginia Military Institute -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865
Creator
Repository Details
Part of the Virginia Military Institute Archives Repository