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

Rude's Hill

The Battle of New Market (May 15, 1864)

— "I could see the long bottom before us filled with fugitives." —

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

Photographed by Bradley Owen, August 11, 2024

1. Rude's Hill Marker

Inscription.

Rude's Hill. The Battle of New Market (May 15, 1864). , Time: Late Afternoon to Early Evening, You are standing on Rude's Hill, an important defensive position throughout the Civil War. During the closing stages of the Battle of New Market, the Valley Pike to your front and Meems Bottom, the lowland around it - was a scene of disorder and fear, with a chaotic mass of retreating Union soldiers, wagons, and cannons streaming towards the bridge over the Shenandoah River, two miles away., The Confederate pursuit had been slowed by their own exhaustion and by Union Capt. Henry DuPont's artillery, which gave Union commander Gen. Franz Sigel time to build a new line here at Rude's Hill. Around 4pm, Sigel's infantry commander, Gen. Jeremiah Sullivan, arrived here with the last elements of the Union army, the 28th Ohio and 116th Ohio - who at times had been forced to make their way through the retreating mob with bayonets. They deployed on this hill to form a rearguard, supported by Federal cannon., When the Confederates resumed their advance, the Union guns opened fire. "It looked like we were going into the very jaws of death," remembered Confederate Capt. Carter Berkeley. Southern cannon returned fire, and the two sides engaged in an artillery duel. As the Confederate infantry grew closer, Sigel began withdrawing his rearguard., By the time Confederate Gen. John C. Breckinridge reached this spot, "the rear of the enemy's column could be seen crossing the bridge." As southern infantry continued their pursuit, Breckinridge deployed his artillery here to shell the retreating Federals - and the bridge. "I could see the long bottom before us filled with fugitives," remembered one southern gunner. "We poured shot and shell into them... pouring like frightened cattle across the bridge.", Most of them escaped. After DuPont's gunners, bringing up the rear guard, crossed the bridge, they tore up the planks and set it afire to prevent pursuit. Shortly after 7pm, the Battle of New Market was over., (Caption):, Union Gen. Jeremiah Sullivan. , Image courtery Library of Congress

Time: Late Afternoon to Early Evening

You are standing on Rude's Hill, an important defensive position throughout the Civil War. During the closing stages of the Battle of New Market, the Valley Pike to your front and Meems Bottom, the lowland around it - was a scene of disorder and fear, with a chaotic mass of retreating Union soldiers, wagons, and cannons streaming towards the bridge over the Shenandoah River, two miles away.

The Confederate pursuit had been slowed by their own exhaustion and by Union Capt. Henry DuPont's artillery, which gave Union commander Gen. Franz Sigel time to build a new line here at Rude's Hill. Around 4pm, Sigel's infantry commander, Gen. Jeremiah Sullivan, arrived here with the last elements of the Union army, the 28th Ohio and 116th Ohio - who at times had been forced to make their way through the retreating mob with bayonets. They deployed on this hill to form a rearguard, supported by Federal cannon.

When the Confederates resumed their advance, the Union guns opened fire. "It looked like we were going into the very jaws of death," remembered Confederate Capt. Carter Berkeley. Southern cannon returned fire, and the two sides engaged in an artillery duel. As the Confederate infantry grew closer, Sigel began withdrawing his rearguard.

By the time Confederate

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Gen. John C. Breckinridge reached this spot, "the rear of the enemy's column could be seen crossing the bridge." As southern infantry continued their pursuit, Breckinridge deployed his artillery here to shell the retreating Federals - and the bridge. "I could see the long bottom before us filled with fugitives," remembered one southern gunner. "We poured shot and shell into them... pouring like frightened cattle across the bridge."

Most of them escaped. After DuPont's gunners, bringing up the rear guard, crossed the bridge, they tore up the planks and set it afire to prevent pursuit. Shortly after 7pm, the Battle of New Market was over.

(Caption):

Union Gen. Jeremiah Sullivan.
Image courtery Library of Congress

Erected 2024 by Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation.

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

Location. 38° 42.162′ N, 78° 38.918′ W. Marker is near New Market, Virginia, in Shenandoah County. It is on Old Valley Pike (U.S. 11) 0.3 miles south of Caverns Road (Virginia Route 730), on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5332 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

Photographed by Bradley Owen, August 11, 2024

2. Rude's Hill Marker

View is looking north, the direction of the Union retreat.

walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named Rude's Hill (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Rude’s Hill (here, next to this marker); Rude’s Hill Action (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Rude’s Hill (a few steps from this marker); Cavalry Engagement (a few steps from this marker); In Memory of Noah Richard Proctor (approx. half a mile away); Summers & Koontz Monument (approx. 0.7 miles away); The Post-Appomattox Tragedy Monument (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in New Market.

Regarding Rude's Hill. Marker includes a map: The Battle of Rude's Hill, Evening, May 15, 1864.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 17, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 17, 2024, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,189 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 17, 2024, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia.