On the morning of the Battle of New Market, the Confederate battle line included Shirley's Hill at its left end, one of a series of hills with Williamson's, Manor's, and Bushong's that played a major role in the fighting. Confederate cavalry under Gen. John C. Imboden first established a position on Shirley's Hill on May 14, the day before the battle, after Federals under Col. Augustus Moor forced them back through town, but Imboden withdrew farther south that night. Union skirmishers occupied the hill the next morning, May 15, until Gen. John C. Breckinridge arrived south of town with his main force and pushed them off. Breckinridge first placed his troops in a defensive position on Williamson's Hill, hoping to lure the outnumbered Federals into attacking before the main Union force under Gen. Franz Sigel arrived, but Moor refused. Breckinridge then sent cannon to the top of Shirley's Hill, opening a two-hour artillery exchange between Union and Confederate guns. At 10 am he rode to the top of the hill to survey the field, concluded that the Federals would not advance, and decided to attack. He ordered his troops to move to the Shirley's Hill line in preparation for the assault, and about 11 am the Confederate attack began, moving toward Manor's Hill, as Moor sent word to Sigel, "The enemy advances."

Photo: Bradley Owen

New Market, Virginia · USA