New Market in Shenandoah County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
The Bushong Farm
Caught in the Crossfire
On June 22, 1791, Henry Bushong patented a 260-acre tract in Shenandoah County that would be home for several generations of his descendants. Henry’s son, Jacob married Sarah Strickler in 1818. They took up residence in a four-room log house and began a family that would grow to include four boys and two girls.In 1825 Jacob Bushong built this vernacular Federal-style home. An 1852 expansion added double porches attached on the north end to provide extra room for the growing family. The Bushongs raised wheat, oats, cattle, hogs, and horses. Wheelwright and blacksmith shops provided farm implements for the Bushongs and other area families. The family worked alongside three African American slaves on the property—an unmarried man, a woman named Mary, and a young boy, Israel.
On May 15, 1864 seven family members took refuge in their sturdy cellar as the Battle of New Market raged across their farm. Peering through the windows, they saw VMI cadets pass on the east and west sides of the house as they marched to join the Confederate battle line. After the battle the house and barn, like most buildings in and around New Market,
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(Sidebar):George R. Collins
In the early 1940s the Bushong family sold the farm to Mr. and Mrs. Everette Croxton, who in turn sold it in 1944 to George Randall Collins, VMI Class of 1911. At his death in 1964, Mr. Collins bequeathed the Bushong Farm and a $3 million operating endowment to VMI “to be used as a trust to perpetuate and maintain as a Memorial of the Battle of New Market.”
Erected by Virginia Civil War Trails and Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1780.
Location. 38° 39.792′ N, 78° 40.086′ W. Marker is in New Market, Virginia, in Shenandoah County. Marker can be reached from George Collin Parkway (County Route 305), on the right when traveling south. The marker is located at the New Market Battlefield State Historical Park. Take Exit 264 off I-81 onto Rt. 211 West. Take immediate right onto Rt. 305 (George Collins Parkway). Continue one mile until you see the circular, distinctive Hall of Valor. A staff member will share park and ticketing information. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: 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 marker. “Good-bye, Lieutenant, I am killed.” (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); This Rustic Pile
February 2, 2007
2. Marker at the Bushong Farmstead Main House
More about this marker. On the upper left the marker features a painting of the cadets advance through the Bushong Farm captioned, The Lions of the Hour, by Keith Rocco. Inside the sidebar of the marker on the right is a portrait of George R. Collins. The marker also has three additional photos captioned, Sarah Bushong, ca. 1880, Bushong Farm, ca. 1880, and Bushong Family, 1899.
Also see . . . Battle of New Market, Virginia. Additional photos from CivilWarAlbum.com (Submitted on November 1, 2008.)
February 2, 2007
3. Bushong Farm and Outbuildings
Photographed By Bradley Owen, October 17, 2017
4. The Bushong Farm
February 2, 2007
5. Military Hospital
February 2, 2007
6. Hospital Display
Credits. This page was last revised on January 25, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 1, 2008. This page has been viewed 2,712 times since then and 196 times this year. Last updated on January 21, 2021. Photos: 1. submitted on October 18, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 2, 3. submitted on November 1, 2008. 4. submitted on January 21, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. 5, 6. submitted on November 1, 2008. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
