virginia military institute

New Market: Preservation

/ Sarah Kay Bierle / Leave a comment
This preservation group is leading efforts to save more areas of New Market battlefield.

When we see a historic battlefield preserved for research and education, there is always a story. In today’s video, we take a closer look at the battlefield preservation at New Market, how it has secured key portions of the land, and how the efforts continue to secure and interpret new portions of the old battlefield.

Ever wonder why the Virginia Museum of the Civil War sits on George Collins Memorial Parkway? Hint: Mr. Collins spearheaded some of the first official preservation efforts! Learn about his work and more in our new video…

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New Market: “Send In The Boys”

/ Sarah Kay Bierle / Leave a comment

Finally. It’s time to discuss the Virginia Military Institute Cadets’ role in the Battle of New Market – how they rushed to The Fence, filled the gap in the line, and then…

Hey, why am I telling you here! Watch the video…

In addition to talking about the historic happenings, this video includes footage filmed on New Market battlefield, including a walk to The Cannon. Then we’ll reflect on what the Cadets at New Market means and how it is still inspirational 155 years later.

Send In The Boys

Video Highlights

  • What the VMI Cadets did when they received orders on May 15, 1864
  • Fight at the fence
  • The Cadets’ Charge
  • Footage from New Market Battlefield State Historical Park
  • Discussion about what the Charge means

Thanks for watching!

Your Historian,

Miss Sarah

Lydie Clinedinst: “Mother of the New Market Cadets”

/ Sarah Kay Bierle / 3 Comments
Eliza “Lydie” Clinedinst

She wanted to witness history – not wait in the cellar. She helped care for wounded cadets. She helped to write New Market memory of the battle. She helped ensure that “her cadets” had their place in history. She wrote letters, and she had conversations about history.

By the end of her life, thousands knew about her and wanted to hear her stories about the Battle of New Market. Through her compassion and commitment, Lydie Clinedinst Crim became “Mother of the New Market Cadets” and guaranteed that their memory and her name would be linked in Civil War history.

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New Market: Virginia Military Institute

/ Sarah Kay Bierle / 2 Comments
Original barracks at Virginia Military Institute

The Corps of Cadets from Virginia Military Institute took an important role in the Battle of New Market. In fact, this battle is the only time in U.S. History that a college student body fought together as a unit and they helped secured the outcome for General Breckinridge and the Confederates.

Through the decades after the battle, they helped to collect and write about the fight, ensuring their place in history and memory. To understand what the cadets did on May 15, 1864, it’s important to understand a little about the Institute’s history and the cadets of the 1860’s. In today’s video, you’ll find scenes filmed on location at Virginia Military Institute in 2018 and a discussion of this background history.

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1864: “May Be Relied Upon For Active Duty”

/ Sarah Kay Bierle / 1 Comment

May 2, 1864 HQ, VMI
Maj. Gen. John C. Breckinridge
Comd. Dept. of Western Va. Dublin Depot

General,
I have the honor to enclose herewith a letter from General R.E. Lee, Commanding Army of N. Virginia, addressed to the Adjutant General of Virginia–also–a copy of instructions from the Governor of Virginia communicated by the Adjutant General defining my duty as Superintendent of the Virginia Military Institute.

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