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

Battle of New Market

The Bloody Cedars

— 1864 Valley Campaign —

Battle of New Market Marker image. Click for full size.

By Devry Becker Jones, October 17, 2020

1. Battle of New Market Marker

Inscription.

Battle of New Market. The Bloody Cedars. . As the Battle of New Market unfolded on May 15, 1864, Confederate Gen. John C. Breckinridge's men heavily assaulted the left flank of Union Gen. Franz Sigel's army. Sigel counterattacked, sending Gen. Julius Stahel's cavalry charging down the Valley Turnpike (present-day U.S. Route 11). The Confederates repulsed the attack and Stahel's men fell back in disorder, leaving Col. Jacob Campbell's 54th Pennsylvania Infantry regiment to anchor the Union left flank on the field in front of you. . . Sigel then ordered his infantry to launch another attack. The 1st West Virginia Infantry (to the right of the 54th Pennsylvania) was the first to advance. "I ordered the 54th also to charge," wrote Campbell, "which was done with alacrity and spirit." Under heavy fire, the West Virginians retreated unexpectedly. The men of the 54th Pennsylvania, now alone, came over the crest of this cedar-covered hill and were shocked by the number of Confederates waiting in a ravine near the woods in front of you. . . The heavy Confederate infantry fire cut deeply into the ranks of the unsupported Union troops. Campbell had no choice but to retreat to save his command. His men made two defensive stands in the cedar grove here as they retreated. Of the regiment's 566 soldiers, 32 were killed, 100 wounded, and 42 captured, totaling a loss of more than 30% of the unit. The 54th suffered the second-highest regimental loss at the Battle of New Market. They christened this part of the battlefield "The Bloody Cedars." . . [Aside:] . "Where we did our part to preserve the Union." . In October 1905, surviving 54th Pennsylvania Infantry veterans gathered here to dedicate this monument to their regiment's valor. It is one of the few statues in Virginia memorializing Pennsylvania's Civil War soldiers. After the ceremony, the men returned home with cedar saplings from Jacob Bushong's field. Some of those trees still survive in the Johnstown, Pa., cemetery where many of the veterans are buried.

As the Battle of New Market unfolded on May 15, 1864, Confederate Gen. John C. Breckinridge's men heavily assaulted the left flank of Union Gen. Franz Sigel's army. Sigel counterattacked, sending Gen. Julius Stahel's cavalry charging down the Valley Turnpike (present-day U.S. Route 11). The Confederates repulsed the attack and Stahel's men fell back in disorder, leaving Col. Jacob Campbell's 54th Pennsylvania Infantry regiment to anchor the Union left flank on the field in front of you.

Sigel then ordered his infantry to launch another attack. The 1st West Virginia Infantry (to the right of the 54th Pennsylvania) was the first to advance. "I ordered the 54th also to charge," wrote Campbell, "which was done with alacrity and spirit." Under heavy fire, the West Virginians retreated unexpectedly. The men of the 54th Pennsylvania, now alone, came over the crest of this cedar-covered hill and were shocked by the number of Confederates waiting in a ravine near the woods in front of you.

The heavy Confederate infantry fire cut deeply into the ranks of the unsupported Union troops. Campbell had no choice but to retreat to save his command. His men made two defensive stands in the cedar grove here as they retreated. Of the regiment's 566 soldiers, 32 were killed, 100 wounded, and 42 captured, totaling a loss of more

By Devry Becker Jones, October 17, 2020

2. Battle of New Market Marker

than 30% of the unit. The 54th suffered the second-highest regimental loss at the Battle of New Market. They christened this part of the battlefield "The Bloody Cedars."

[Aside:]
"Where we did our part to preserve the Union."
In October 1905, surviving 54th Pennsylvania Infantry veterans gathered here to dedicate this monument to their regiment's valor. It is one of the few statues in Virginia memorializing Pennsylvania's Civil War soldiers. After the ceremony, the men returned home with cedar saplings from Jacob Bushong's field. Some of those trees still survive in the Johnstown, Pa., cemetery where many of the veterans are buried.

Erected by Civil War Trust, Virginia Museum of the Civil War, 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 series list.

Location. 38° 39.926′ N, 78° 39.713′ W. Marker is in New Market, Virginia, in Shenandoah County. Marker is on Old Valley Pike (U.S. 11) 0.1 miles south of Battlefield Road, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2564 Old Valley Pike, New Market VA 22844, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this

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marker. 54th Pennsylvania Monument (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Battle of New Market (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named Battle of New Market (approx. ¼ mile away); Heroism in Defeat (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named The Battle of New Market (approx. ¼ mile away); This Rustic Pile (approx. 0.3 miles away); “Good-bye, Lieutenant, I am killed.” (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Bushong Farm (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in New Market.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has replaced the linked marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 18, 2020. It was originally submitted on October 18, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 53 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 18, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.