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

Shirley's Hill

The Battle of New Market (May 14-15, 1864)

— "We can attack and whip them here." —

Shirley's Hill Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bradley Owen, August 11, 2024

1. Shirley's Hill Marker

Inscription.

Shirley's Hill. The Battle of New Market (May 14-15, 1864). , You're standing on the Confederate battle line on the morning of the Battle of New Market. It was from this line that Confederate Gen. John C. Breckinridge launched his first major attack of the battle. The left end of the line was anchored on Shirley's Hill, which you can see on the other side of the interstate highway. (A water tank rests on the hill.) Shirley's Hill is one of a series of hills - Williamson's, Shirley's, Manor's, and Bushong's, running from your left to right - that would play a major role in the battle., Confederate cavalry under Gen. John C. Imboden first established a position on Shirley's Hill on May 14, the day before the battle, after being forced back through town by Federals under Col. Augustus Moor. Imboden withdrew further south that night. Union skirmishers occupied the hill the next morning, May 15, but were pushed off when Breckinridge arrived south of town with his main force., That morning, Breckinridge first positioned his troops in a defensive position on Williamson's Hill to the south, in the hopes that he could lure the northerners into attacking him. But Col. Moor, who was outnumbered as he waited for the arrival of the main Union force under Gen. Franz Sigel, refused to fall into the trap., Breckinridge sent cannon to the top of Shirley's Hill and ordered them to open fire, beginning a two-hour artillery exchange between Union and Confederate guns. At 10 am, he rode to the top of the hill in front of you to survey the panorama before him. "He declines to advance on us," he said. "I shall advance on him. We can attack and whip them here.", Breckinridge ordered his troops to move to the Shirley's Hill line in preparation for his assault. The Confederate attack began about 11 am, moving towards Manor's Hill, and Col. Moor sent word back to Gen. Sigel: "The enemy advances.", (Caption):, Shirley's Hill as seen from the Valley Pike (modern day US-11), about 1,000 feet to your right. The Confederate line formed on the back slope to the left.

You're standing on the Confederate battle line on the morning of the Battle of New Market. It was from this line that Confederate Gen. John C. Breckinridge launched his first major attack of the battle. The left end of the line was anchored on Shirley's Hill, which you can see on the other side of the interstate highway. (A water tank rests on the hill.) Shirley's Hill is one of a series of hills - Williamson's, Shirley's, Manor's, and Bushong's, running from your left to right - that would play a major role in the battle.

Confederate cavalry under Gen. John C. Imboden first established a position on Shirley's Hill on May 14, the day before the battle, after being forced back through town by Federals under Col. Augustus Moor. Imboden withdrew further south that night. Union skirmishers occupied the hill the next morning, May 15, but were pushed off when Breckinridge arrived south of town with his main force.

That morning, Breckinridge first positioned his troops in a defensive position on Williamson's Hill to the south, in the hopes that he could lure the northerners into attacking him. But Col. Moor, who was outnumbered as he waited for the arrival of the main Union force under Gen. Franz Sigel, refused to fall into the trap.

Breckinridge sent cannon to the top of Shirley's Hill and ordered them

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to open fire, beginning a two-hour artillery exchange between Union and Confederate guns. At 10 am, he rode to the top of the hill in front of you to survey the panorama before him. "He declines to advance on us," he said. "I shall advance on him. We can attack and whip them here."

Breckinridge ordered his troops to move to the Shirley's Hill line in preparation for his assault. The Confederate attack began about 11 am, moving towards Manor's Hill, and Col. Moor sent word back to Gen. Sigel: "The enemy advances."

(Caption):

Shirley's Hill as seen from the Valley Pike (modern day US-11), about 1,000 feet to your right. The Confederate line formed on the back slope to the left.

Erected 2024 by Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant day of the year for for this entry is May 14.

Location. 38° 38.483′ N, 78° 40.719′ W. Marker is in New Market, Virginia, in Shenandoah County. It is on Cadet Road south of Ashby Lane, on the right when traveling south. Marker is located in New Market Community Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 9670 Cadet Road, 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: Replica of a 19th Century Town Pump (approx. half a mile away); Site of New Market Academy and New Market Polytechnic Institute

Photographed by Bradley Owen, August 11, 2024

2. Shirley's Hill Marker

(approx. half a mile away); The Henkel House (approx. half a mile away); a different marker also named The Henkel House (approx. half a mile away); Paul Henkel (approx. half a mile away); Woodworth Cottage (approx. half a mile away); Fighting in the Streets (approx. 0.6 miles away); Gen. John Sevier (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in New Market.

Other markers no longer nearby. The Shirley House (was approx. half a mile away but has been permanently removed); Jackson in New Market (was approx. 0.6 miles away but has been reported to have been replaced with another marker now near it).

Regarding Shirley's Hill. Marker includes a map: The Battle Begins, Late morning, May 15, 1864.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 15, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 15, 2024, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 538 times since then and 65 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 15, 2024, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia.