New Market in Shenandoah County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Jackson in New Market

Stonewall at the Strayer House

— 1862 Valley Campaign —

Jackson in New Market Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brandon Stahl, June 9, 2018

1. Jackson in New Market Marker

Inscription.

Jackson in New Market. Stonewall at the Strayer House. (preface) , Gen. Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackon's unsuccessful attack on Union forces at Kernstown on March 23, 1862, alarmed Federal officials, who assigned additional troops to the Shenandoah Valley to guard against a Confederate assault on Washington, D.C. In May and June, Jackson's "foot cavalry" marched 350 miles; defeated three Union armies in engagements at McDowell (May 8), Front Royal (May 23), Winchester (May 25), Cross Keys (June 8), and Port Republic (June 9); inflicted twice the number of casualties it suffered; and tied down 60,000 Federal troops. The campaign made Jackson the Confederacy's foremost hero., (main text) , The Strayer House, built about 1808, was the home of John and Dorcas Strayer (a cousin of Abraham Lincoln) and the sire of Strayer's mercantile business. Located where the Valley Turnpike crossed the road from New Market Gap, the building was familiar sight to Confederate and Union soldiers alike., On May 21, 1862, Confederate Gen. Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson watched from the building's stoop as his "foot cavalry" turned east toward New Market Gap to surprise the Federals at Front Royal on May 23. Two weeks later, Jackson made his headquarters here as he withdrew south. He had first bivouacked outdoors, but a torrential downpour on June 3 washed our his tent and compelled him to seek shelter in the Strayer House the next day., While here, Jackson planned the final stages of the campaign and met the mapmaker Jedediah Hotchkiss to inquire about the terrain near Port Republic. Jackson also met with George Clark, and English reporter for the New York Herald who had been captured at Front Royal. Jackson agreed to free Clark but balked at returning Clark's horse, which he considered contraband of war. "He was told that he might take him if he could find him," Jackson aide Henry Kyde Douglas recalled. "But having his doubts about the prudence of roaming through [Turner] Ashby's camp in search of a horse [Clark] took his departure.", By the next day, Jackson was gone, racing south with the Federals close on his heels, headed for Port Republic.

(preface)
Gen. Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackon's unsuccessful attack on Union forces at Kernstown on March 23, 1862, alarmed Federal officials, who assigned additional troops to the Shenandoah Valley to guard against a Confederate assault on Washington, D.C. In May and June, Jackson's "foot cavalry" marched 350 miles; defeated three Union armies in engagements at McDowell (May 8), Front Royal (May 23), Winchester (May 25), Cross Keys (June 8), and Port Republic (June 9); inflicted twice the number of casualties it suffered; and tied down 60,000 Federal troops. The campaign made Jackson the Confederacy's foremost hero.

(main text)
The Strayer House, built about 1808, was the home of John and Dorcas Strayer (a cousin of Abraham Lincoln) and the sire of Strayer's mercantile business. Located where the Valley Turnpike crossed the road from New Market Gap, the building was familiar sight to Confederate and Union soldiers alike.

On May 21, 1862, Confederate Gen. Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson watched from the building's stoop as his "foot cavalry" turned east toward New Market Gap to surprise the Federals at Front Royal on

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May 23. Two weeks later, Jackson made his headquarters here as he withdrew south. He had first bivouacked outdoors, but a torrential downpour on June 3 washed our his tent and compelled him to seek shelter in the Strayer House the next day.

While here, Jackson planned the final stages of the campaign and met the mapmaker Jedediah Hotchkiss to inquire about the terrain near Port Republic. Jackson also met with George Clark, and English reporter for the New York Herald who had been captured at Front Royal. Jackson agreed to free Clark but balked at returning Clark's horse, which he considered contraband of war. "He was told that he might take him if he could find him," Jackson aide Henry Kyde Douglas recalled. "But having his doubts about the prudence of roaming through [Turner] Ashby's camp in search of a horse [Clark] took his departure."

By the next day, Jackson was gone, racing south with the Federals close on his heels, headed for Port Republic.

Erected 2018 by Virginia Civil War Trails.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Civil War Trails

Photographed by Brandon Stahl, June 9, 2018

2. Jackson in New Market Marker

series list. A significant historical date for this entry is May 21, 1862.

Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 38° 38.864′ N, 78° 40.303′ W. Marker was in New Market, Virginia, in Shenandoah County. It was at the intersection of South Congress Street (U.S. 11) and East Old Cross Street, on the left when traveling south on South Congress Street. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 9386 S Congress St, New Market VA 22844, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker was in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley.

It was also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it was in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: Fighting in the Streets (here, next to this marker); In Memory of General Robert E. Lee

Strayer House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brandon Stahl, June 9, 2018

3. Strayer House

(a few steps from this marker); The New Market Crossroads (within shouting distance of this marker); Miss Abbie Henkel House (within shouting distance of this marker); Gen. John Sevier (within shouting distance of this marker); Woodworth Cottage (within shouting distance of this marker); The Henkel House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named The Henkel House (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in New Market.

Also see . . . Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District. (Submitted on June 16, 2018, by Brandon Stahl of Fairfax, Virginia.)

Jackson’s View as He Reviewed His Troops image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brandon Stahl, June 9, 2018

4. Jackson’s View as He Reviewed His Troops

Credits. This page was last revised on August 5, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 16, 2018, by Brandon Stahl of Fairfax, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,087 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 16, 2018, by Brandon Stahl of Fairfax, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.