Battle of New Market

Common card · No. 263637

The Battle of New Market was fought on May 15, 1864, in Virginia during the Valley Campaigns of 1864 in the American Civil War. A makeshift Confederate army of 4,100 men defeated the larger Army of the Shenandoah under Major General Franz Sigel, delaying the capture of Staunton by several weeks. The battle is primarily remembered today for being the only time in American history a school's student body was used as an organized combat unit. (see also Battle of Natural Bridge) During the battle Confederate general John C. Breckinridge ordered cadets from the Virginia Military Institute (VMI), averaging 18 years of age but with several child soldiers no older than 15, to join an attack on the Union lines. The event is central to the Institute's history and heritage.

Read on Wikipedia · Image Harry C. Edwards, Public domain