New Market Virginia

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

/ Sarah Kay Bierle / Leave a comment
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: The March To The Battlefield

/ Sarah Kay Bierle / Leave a comment
An impressive image of Franz Sigel (Library of Congress)

So…how did the Union and Confederate soldiers get to New Market? (Hint: they marched.) And at what point did they know there would be a battle there?

Today’s video explores the routes, speeds, and objectives of the armies as they approached battle on May 15, 1864. It even includes some on-location footage along the Valley Pike and one of the camping areas used by the Cadets.

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Sarah Bushong: A Battle Around Her Home

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Sarah Bushong (Find a Grave)

She married for love and spent years working alongside her husband for the success of the family farm. She was a grandmother by the time the Civil War brought a battle to her doorstep. She looked after wounded soldiers who found shelter and medical aid under her roof.

Sarah Strickler Bushong lived on her family’s farm which because the centerpoint of the Battle of New Market on May 15, 1864. She experienced a Civil War battle first-hand as troops rushed passed her home and sheltered in the cellar.

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