The Battle of New Market and Cedar Creek, Virginia

During our summer vacation, June 2011, we visited several Civil War battlefields. Two of which were in Virginia. New Market Battlefield, Cedar Creek Battlefield and Gettysburg Battlefield. The New Market Battlefield is a sight to see; right off the main highway, and very convenient. There is a museum, and original farm buildings on the sight.

The battle was fought May 15, 1864 during Ulysses S. Grants "Grand Strategy" Shenandoah Valley Campaign to drive the confederate army into surrender. On the union side General Franz Sigel (same general from the Battle of Wilson's Creek), and on the confederate side General John C. Breckinridge converged here.

What makes this battle special is that freshman Virginia Military Institute, or VMI students were called upon to join General Breckinridge and his army of 4,500 to drive thee union army out of the Shenandoah Valley. The students marched 81 miles to join forces, and became a Confederate victory. A small battle with only 1,500 casualties total. The battlefield is known as "The field of Lost Shoes"


The battle of Cedar Creek was fought on October 19, 1864 between Lt. Gen Jubal Early of the Confederate, and Maj. gen. Phillip Sheridan of the Union during the height of The Valley Campaign of 1864. 32,000 Union soldiers and 11,000 Confederate soldiers. 8,000 casualties total. The battle was a Union victory.