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

The Henkel House

"I shall need them for some of you."

— Civil War New Market —

The Henkel House Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bradley Owen, May 31, 2024

1. The Henkel House Marker

Inscription.

The Henkel House. "I shall need them for some of you.". , The building on your left was built in 1802 by Dr. Solomon Henkel, one of the first physicians to reside in New Market. The small building in the rear was originally an apothecary shop, and later the first location of the Henkel Press, a German-language publishing company founded in New Market., In 1855, Solomon's son, Dr. Solon P.C. Henkel, added two rooms upstairs and the wooden facade that you see today. Solon, his wife Anna Maria, and their many children lived here during the Civil War., In mid-June 1862, German soldiers in Union Gen. John C. Fremont's army broke into the house. The Germans, who were notorious amongst friend and foe for being "the most infernal robbers, plunderers, and thieves," ransacked and stole but left the Henkels unharmed., Union looters burst into the house again on the morning of the Battle of New Market. Dr. Henkel stood aside, but successfully persuaded them to leave his surgical instruments, saying that before the day was over, "it may be that I shall need them for some of you.", Later that day, when Confederates swept through the town, Confederate commander Gen. John C. Breckinridge climbed onto the roof of the house to observe the Union position, but Federal gunfire soon forced him to climb back down., After the battle, Dr. Henkel was indeed called on to treat Union and Confederate wounded. Dr. Henkel later said he "assisted in the Federal Hospital three months in attending to wounded. Operated frequently, amputated several limbs, took up femoral artery in two cases. Furnished medicine and other comforts to the sick and wounded.", "Battered open the doors", In June 1864, when Union soldiers came again to the Henkel door, Maria Henkel threw boiling water onto them from an upstairs window. Enraged, the men "battered open the doors [and] ran their bayonets through family portraits and ransacked the house." The metal plate on the door covers the damage done by the Federals., (Captions):, Dr. Solon P.C. Henkel, Henkel's note requesting reimbursement for items taken by Union forces., Confederate Gen. John C. Breckinridge, Marker is dedicated in honor of Joe Tussing, descendant of the Henkels who has lovingly cared for this property for decades.

The building on your left was built in 1802 by Dr. Solomon Henkel, one of the first physicians to reside in New Market. The small building in the rear was originally an apothecary shop, and later the first location of the Henkel Press, a German-language publishing company founded in New Market.

In 1855, Solomon's son, Dr. Solon P.C. Henkel, added two rooms upstairs and the wooden facade that you see today. Solon, his wife Anna Maria, and their many children lived here during the Civil War.

In mid-June 1862, German soldiers in Union Gen. John C. Fremont's army broke into the house. The Germans, who were notorious amongst friend and foe for being "the most infernal robbers, plunderers, and thieves," ransacked and stole but left the Henkels unharmed.

Union looters burst into the house again on the morning of the Battle of New Market. Dr. Henkel stood aside, but successfully persuaded them to leave his surgical instruments, saying that before the day was over, "it may be that I shall need them for some of you."

Later that day, when Confederates swept through the town, Confederate commander Gen. John C. Breckinridge climbed onto the roof of the house to observe the Union position, but Federal gunfire soon forced him to climb back down.

After the battle, Dr. Henkel was indeed called

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

on to treat Union and Confederate wounded. Dr. Henkel later said he "assisted in the Federal Hospital three months in attending to wounded. Operated frequently, amputated several limbs, took up femoral artery in two cases. Furnished medicine and other comforts to the sick and wounded."

"Battered open the doors"

In June 1864, when Union soldiers came again to the Henkel door, Maria Henkel threw boiling water onto them from an upstairs window. Enraged, the men "battered open the doors [and] ran their bayonets through family portraits and ransacked the house." The metal plate on the door covers the damage done by the Federals.

(Captions):

Dr. Solon P.C. Henkel

Henkel's note requesting reimbursement for items taken by Union forces.

Confederate Gen. John C. Breckinridge

Marker is dedicated in honor of Joe Tussing, descendant of the Henkels who has lovingly cared for this property for decades.

Erected 2024 by Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Science & Medicine • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1802.

Location. 38° 38.823′ N, 78° 40.343′ W. Marker is in New

Photographed by Bradley Owen, May 31, 2024

2. The Henkel House Marker

The Henkel House is left of the marker.

Market, Virginia, in Shenandoah County. It is on South Congress Street (U.S. 11) south of West Old Cross Road (Virginia Route 211), on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 9417 South Congress Street, 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: A different marker also named The Henkel House (a few steps from this marker); Woodworth Cottage (within shouting distance of this marker); Replica of a 19th Century Town Pump (within shouting distance of this marker); Fighting in the Streets (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); In Memory of General Robert E. Lee (about 400 feet away); Gen. John Sevier (about 400 feet away); Site of New Market Academy and New Market Polytechnic Institute (about 400 feet away); Miss Abbie Henkel House (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in New Market.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Jackson in New Market (was about 300 feet away but has been reported to have been replaced with another marker now near it).

Credits. This page was last revised on August 19, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 9, 2024, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 612 times since then and 65 times this year. Last updated on August 19, 2024, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 10, 2024, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.