144th New Market Event Is May 16-18 At The Battlefield

NEW MARKET, Va. – Some 2,000 Civil War reenactors are expected for the 144th anniversary reenactment of the Battle of New Market, May 16-18 at New Market Battlefield State Historical Park.

It is the country’s oldest battle reenactment and one of few held on the original site.

“Put the boys in, and may God forgive me for the order,” said Confederate Gen. John C. Breckinridge after he ordered 257 cadets of the Virginia Military Institute into combat during the May 15, 1864, battle.

Breckinridge’s 4,000-man army defeated a Union force of over 6,000 under Gen. Franz Sigel in one of the South’s last significant victories of the war. The Confederates suffered 531 casualties, compared to 841 for the Union force. Ten VMI cadets were killed or mortally wounded.

The park is a National Historic Landmark administered by the Virginia Military Institute. It includes the Bushong Farm and the Hall of Valor Museum. Both sites will be open free to persons purchasing reenactment tickets.

The reenactment will begin at 1 p.m. on Friday, May 16, with an artillery duel in the town of New Market. A Union battery positioned along Old Cross Road (Route 211) will exchange fire with Confederate guns on Shirley’s Hill to the southwest. Both batteries will occupy positions similar to those taken at the start of the battle in 1864.

On Saturday, living history presentations will be given throughout the day on the battlefield and around the Bushong Farm. At noon, the Stonewall Brigade Band of Staunton, Va., will perform outside the Hall of Valor Museum. A tactical reenactment will take place at 2 p.m.

Activities continue on Sunday with a Civil War period church service, living history programs and reenactment of the Battle of New Market at 1:30 p.m.

All tickets will be sold at the gate, with free admission to New Market residents. Ticket sales support preservation and interpretation of the park.

For more information call (866) 515-1864 or visit www.vmi.edu/newmarket.