Battle of New Market

New Market: Cavalry Charge & The 54th Pennsylvania

/ Sarah Kay Bierle / Leave a comment
54th Pennsylvania Monument

Let’s talk about the Union left flank during the Battle of New Market!

The Union cavalry under General Julius Stahel made a fateful charge into Confederate artillery and the 54th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment anchored the Union flank and also made a memorable charge. What can we learn about the Battle of New Market by taking a closer look at these fights on the east side of the lines?

This video takes another look at the history, goes “on location”, and I’ll reveal something kinda crazy that I did on one of my visits to New Market and how that influenced my perception on that cavalry charge…

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New Market: Bushong Lines

/ Sarah Kay Bierle / Leave a comment
Part of the topography at the Confederate line along Bushong Field, modern view.

Okay, I broke down and had to explain these battle lines in detail… This video is a lot of “this regiment was here, this regiment was there.” But, then we’ll give you the boots on the ground, real soldier perspective too. (Or you can just skip ahead to see the maps and hear those accounts.)

It’s crucial to understand the Union and Confederate unit alignments along the Bushong Lines (third Union defensive position). To avoid explaining at the beginning of each “action video,” we take the time to explain it. Once! Then just reference back in the future.

You just might find this much more interesting and informative than you imagine…

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New Market: River Road

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River Road

Civilian road. Less than ideal military position. Scene of the second Union defensive position during the Battle of New Market.

This new video addresses the location of Colonel Moor’s regiment’s fall-back position after retreating from Manor’s Hill. You’ll also “meet” Von Kleiser’s artillery battery and learn why they are short one gun later in the fight at Field of Lost Shoes. That long Confederate battle line kept advancing, pushing the fighting Union troops toward yet another defensive position farther north.

But that’s just the military side of the story. There’s a great tale of battlefield preservation that’s part of the River Road saga and the latter part of the video addresses this modern victory!

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New Market: Shirley’s Hill & Manor’s Hill

/ Sarah Kay Bierle / Leave a comment
A modern view of Shirley’s Hill

Well, at long last, we’ve made it to the opening shots on May 15, 1864, in our video series about the Battle of New Market.

This new video addresses the troop positions, Sigel’s divided army, Breckinridge’s big decision, the advance, and the first time the Cadets from VMI came under fire. In addition to maps and history discussion, you’ve find some video clips filmed on location on the two hills.

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New Market: May 13-14, 1864

/ Sarah Kay Bierle / 1 Comment

Should we consider New Market a three day battle? It’s a question open for debate.

Traditionally, the battle date for New Market has only been May 15, 1864, but important military actions and battling skirmishes occurred on the two previous days which are key to understanding the larger-scale fighting. Today’s video dives into the set-up history, exploring how the opening conflicts staged the main battle and why its important understand these foundational moments in New Market history.

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