Near New Market in Shenandoah County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Battle of New Market
May 15, 1864
— Shenandoah Valley Circle Tour —
Photographed By J. J. Prats, September 26, 2006
1. Battle of New Market Marker
Inscription.
Battle of New Market. May 15, 1864. General U.S. Grant's plan to defeat the Confederacy in 1864, called for a raid by General G. Crook into southwestern Virginia. General F. Sigel, to keep the Confederates from concentrating against Crook, was to advance down Shenandoah Valley from the Harpers Ferry area. Skirmishing frequently 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.
General U.S. Grant's plan to defeat the Confederacy in 1864, called for a raid by General G. Crook into southwestern Virginia. General F. Sigel, to keep the Confederates from concentrating against Crook, was to advance down Shenandoah Valley from the Harpers Ferry area. Skirmishing frequently 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.
Erected 1966 by Virginia Civil War Commission.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #18 Ulysses S. Grant series list. A significant historical date for this entry is May 14, 1864.
Location. 38° 39.739′ N, 78° 39.782′
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W. Marker is near New Market, Virginia, in Shenandoah County. Marker is on Old Valley Turnpike (U.S. 11) north of New Market, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: New Market VA 22844, United States of America. Touch for directions.
More about this marker. One of the series of Shenandoah Valley Circle Tour markers. There is a small gravel area where you can pull off the road to read these markers. Beyond the fence is the New Market Battlefield State Historical Park, but to reach the park you need to go south to New Market and cross I-81 to the park entrance. The Interstate bisects the park. A pedestrian tunnel under the interstate leads you back to this side of the battlefield.
Also see . . . The Battle of New Market. by Joseph W. A. Whitehorne, Center of Military History, United States Army, Washington, D.C., 1988
Photographed By J. J. Prats, September 26, 2006
2. Adjacent Tablet Showing a Map
(Submitted on September 29, 2006.)
Photographed By J. J. Prats, September 26, 2006
3. This Marker and Map Plus Older Other Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on July 8, 2022. It was originally submitted on September 29, 2006. This page has been viewed 2,153 times since then and 31 times this year. Last updated on July 7, 2022. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on September 29, 2006, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
