General U.S. Grant's 1864 plan to defeat the Confederacy called for a raid by General G. Crook into southwestern Virginia, while General F. Sigel advanced down Shenandoah Valley from the Harpers Ferry area to keep Confederates from concentrating against Crook. Frequently skirmishing with General J.D. Imboden's cavalrymen, Sigel's column reached New Market on May 14. During the night, Imboden was reinforced by General J.C. Breckinridge's command. On the 15th, after a furious artillery duel, Confederate infantry advanced from Shirley's Hill and rolled back Union skirmishers. A desperate struggle followed, and Breckinridge's infantry drove Sigel's troops from the ridge south of Bushong House. The V.M.I. Cadets moved up from the reserve and, along with the 62nd Virginia, charged across a gulch, broke the Union line, and captured several cannons. The rest of the Confederate infantry surged forward, and Sigel's troops were driven from the field.

Photo: Bradley Owen

Photo: Bradley Owen

New Market, Virginia · USA