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

The Battle of New Market

The Bloody Cedars

— 1864 Valley Campaign —

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

Photographed by Bradley Owen, August 11, 2024

1. The Battle of New Market Marker

Inscription.

The 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. , [Captions:] , Sgt. William Eppinger, Co. C, 54th Pennsylvania Infantry , U.S. Army Military History Institute, Pvt. David Findley, Co. A, 54th Pennsylvania Infantry, killed May 15, 1864 , Courtesy Virginia Military Institute, 1st Platoon, Co. C, 54th Pennsylvania Infantry , Courtesy U.S. Army Military History Institute, Jacob E. Bushong and friend at the 54th Pennsylvania monument, ca. 1910 , Courtesy Henry Buhl

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

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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.

[Captions:]
Sgt. William Eppinger, Co. C, 54th Pennsylvania Infantry
U.S. Army Military History Institute

Pvt. David Findley, Co. A, 54th Pennsylvania Infantry, killed May 15, 1864
Courtesy Virginia Military Institute

1st Platoon, Co. C, 54th Pennsylvania Infantry
Courtesy U.S. Army Military History Institute

Jacob E. Bushong and friend at the 54th Pennsylvania monument, ca. 1910
Courtesy Henry Buhl

Erected 2024 by Virginia Civil War Trails.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil

Photographed by Bradley Owen, August 11, 2024

2. The Battle of New Market Marker

54th Pennsylvania Infantry Monument is on the left.

. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Civil War Trails series list. A significant historical date for this entry is May 15, 1864.

Location. 38° 39.924′ N, 78° 39.712′ W. Marker is in New Market, Virginia, in Shenandoah County. It is on Old Valley Pike (U.S. 11) south of Battlefield Road, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2576 Old Valley Pike, New Market VA 22844, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

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

Other markers no longer nearby. Battle of New Market (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed); The Bloody Cedars (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another

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marker now near it); a different marker also named Battle of New Market (was approx. ¼ mile away but has been permanently removed).

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This updated marker has replaced another at this location.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 5, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 13, 2024, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 400 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 13, 2024, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia.