New Market
In May, 1864, Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant ordered Maj. Gen. Franz Sigel to move up the Shenandoah Valley to destroy the railroad infrastructure at Staunton. At New Market on May 15, Sigel was attacked by a makeshift Confederate force of about one half his number, commanded by Maj. Gen. John C. Breckinridge. At a crucial point, Breckinridge ordered his entire line forward, including the Cadets from the Virginia Military Institute. Sigel’s stubborn defense collapsed. Threatened with a flanking movement, Sigel ordered a retreat and burned the North Fork bridge behind him, temporarily ending the campaign. Sigel was soon replaced by Maj. Gen. David Hunter.
Battle Facts
Result
Confederate Victory
COMMANDERS
Forces Engaged
10,362
Union
6,275
Confederate
4,087
Total Estimated Casualties
1,372
Union
841
Confederate
531
Civil War
Battle Map
BATTLE MAP | American Battlefield Trust’s map of the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields
Civil War
Animated Map
See the entire Civil War unfold, from Fort Sumter to Appomattox and beyond, on our animated map,...
Civil War
Battle Map
BATTLE MAP | American Battlefield Trust’s map of the Battle of New Market on May 15, 1864
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