Battle of New Market

As part of General U.S. Grant's 1864 plan to defeat the Confederacy, General G. Crook raided southwestern Virginia while General F. Sigel advanced down the Shenandoah Valley from the Harpers Ferry area to prevent Confederates from concentrating against Crook. After frequent skirmishing with General J.D. Imboden's cavalry, Sigel's column reached New Market on May 14, and during the night Imboden was reinforced by General J.C. Breckinridge's command. On May 15, after a furious artillery duel, Confederate infantry advanced from Shirley's Hill and rolled back Union skirmishers, then in a desperate struggle Breckinridge's infantry drove Sigel's troops from the ridge south of Bushong House. The V.M.I. Cadets moved up from reserve and, with the 62nd Virginia, charged across a gulch, broke the Union line, and captured several cannons, after which the rest of the Confederate infantry surged forward and drove Sigel's troops from the field.

Virginia · United States