Baptism of Fire

The Virginia Military Institute cadets formed one of the smallest Confederate units engaged in the Battle of New Market, yet they suffered a disproportionately high price in their first combat, with nearly one in four killed or wounded and the third-highest casualty rate in Maj. Gen. John C. Breckinridge’s army. Along with 45 cadets who survived their wounds, ten cadets were killed outright or died after the battle. Even before entering the battle line, an artillery shell killed Cadets William Cabell, Charles Crockett, and Henry Jones. William Hugh McDowell was killed near the Bushong House, and Jacqueline “Bev” Stanard also died on the field. Thomas G. Jefferson, after saving another wounded cadet’s life by applying a tourniquet during the battle, was struck in the body and died in the Clinedinst home in New Market on May 18, attended by Eliza Clinedinst and Cadet Moses Ezekiel. Joseph Wheelwright died on June 2 at a doctor’s home in Harrisonburg, Luther Haynes died of his wounds in Richmond on June 15, Alva Hartsfield suffered a fatal collapse from his wounds in Petersburg on June 26, and Samuel Atwill, only slightly wounded in the calf, died of lockjaw on July 20 as the battle’s last fatal casualty.

New Market, Virginia · United States