Battle of New Market: The Civil War in Four Minutes

In May 1864, as part of a major Union offensive, General Ulysses S. Grant ordered General Sigel to move up the Shenandoah Valley cutting the rail lines utilized by Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia. Meanwhile, to oppose the Federals, Breckenridge collected a scratch force of two infantry brigades, one cavalry brigade, and a battalion of cadets from the Virginia Military Institute.
Sarah Kay Bierle is an Education Associate with the American Battlefield Trust.
The American Battlefield Trust preserves America’s hallowed battlegrounds and educates the public about what happened there and why it matters. We permanently protect these battlefields for future generations as a lasting and tangible memorial to the brave soldiers who fought in the American Revolution, the War of 1812, and the Civil War.

[@darylm.stephens9603]

Thanks for keeping Americas history alive.❤❤

[@robertwillhite9077]

I was at this battlefield last summer (2022). I happened upon it and decided to stop and tour. It was an interesting story, especially about the VMI cadets, their bravery and their losses. I would like to see more about the Civil War in the Shenandoah Valley.

[@ComplexityComplex]

I would appreciate more videos with this lady, she seems very knowledgeable and articulate!

[@tomjones2202]

Good job Sarah!! I've been to this battlefield and it's very moving to walk across that Field of Lost Shoes and realize what those young men did that day, and the loss they suffered. Please do more! (It's been 8 months since I did my entry here. Now I've seen a video that says that the work that the cadets did here was barley a footnote and very little hand to hand combat. It really tainted my visit to this awesome battlefield. I will do more research to see if what was said actually is true.)

[@jackm6810]

Much love to the Virginia Military Institute

[@terryeustice5399]

Sarah I been to New Market Battlefield. It was an amazing story about the Cadets at VMI how they filled in those gaps in the lines. Thanks for sharing. 💯👍👊

[@RealityOrganized]

Well done. Presented factually, without emotion. Good mix of present day scenery, maps, re-enactor footage, drawings and paintings from the past. Keep up the good work.

[@williamcanfield2889]

Excellent synopsis Sarah…such an important engagement and so significant in the honor and tradition of VMI!

[@1951GL]

I am in the UK and have been intrigued by some of the American Civil War battles for many years. This is a fine description of this campaign, very far from John Ford's pastiche of the battle of Newmarket in the 1959 film the Horse Soldiers. The memorial to the VMI is an excellent tribute to the boys involved. 50 years later slightly older boys were involved in similar battles on the western front in Europe. The American Battlefield Trust does good work for a past worth recalling - on both sides.

[@WarhawkYT]

VMI VMI VMI ITS VMI

[@bruh.7198]

WHOOO

[@FieldMarshalYT]

VMI VMI THEY WERE JUST KIDS VMI VMI

[@crippledcrow2384]

Have another cup of coffee.

[@TM-vq1bf]

Traitors

[@gallantcavalier3306]

WARHAWK!!!! Glad to see you here!!!!

[@tommymitchell2306]

HOORAY for VMI!!! SALUTE!!!

[@terryl7874]

Thanks Sarah !

[@cfraz47]

Nice Job Sarah.

[@italadamwest]

Great video.

[@TermiteUSA]

Well done Sarah.

[@65U512]

Thanks, Sarah. Excellent presentation of the battle

[@justmeagain38]

Home area for me!

[@freedomforever3375]

Same for me also.

[@crippledcrow2384]

Too lucky

[@billcaracofe8196]

Caracofe Clan Too, 62nd Va Represent

[@jamiekerr5810]

Excellent summary. Thanks!

[@user-st3vd5bf6g]

Sarah does a fantastic job!

[@SandyQueue]

Very nice video. My ancestor was part of Snow’s Battery, and wounded at New Market. I’ve been to the amazing re-enactments, and the Museum is fantastic.

[@DrummerDanVa]

Visited there a few years ago. Slowiy walking the field and thinking what went on there 160 or so years ago was sobering.

[@gale212]

A nice battlefield. I think it's a little VMI forward, but I enjoy it there.

[@jacquelinebloom4339]

Good summary!

[@The_Unrepentant_McClellanite]

VMI VMI VMI VMI IS THIS VMI I LOVE VMI SO MUCH VMI MAKES ME SO HAPPY

[@timothyevans2183]

Very nice Nice presentation. Perhaps some day, they will allow living historians to re enact the battle again.

[@pshawhudson]

Nice summary I was there a couple years ago it was a very nice experience. Great place to visit for civil war enthusiasts

[@bobbyleewv]

A large contingent of the Confederate soldiers in the battle were from West Virginia. The battle also contained the only Missouri company of Confederate soldiers in the eastern theater, Woodson's Missouri Cavalry, Co. A. Tom Lovell's painting of the cadets, Youth's Hour of Glory, features Oliver Perry Evans from Jackson County, WV.

[@williamolenick7798]

Awesome place to visit, even with the interstate in the middle of the field. Also I believe the host has written a book on the subject.

[@dcash7018]

Lost an ancestor there in the Cedars

[@michelehumphrey852]

Love Sarah 💕 I live in New Market, Maryland and am often asked for the location of the battlefield 😏

[@jodiartman2395]

My daughter a recent graduate of VMI class of 22, VMI sadly stop commemorating New Market and having Rats reenact the battle in 2024 . My husband and have found memories of my daughter as a Rat( freshman) on the very special day .

[@rob-xo2yg]

VMI VMI VMI I LOVE VMI

[@derekrupert2013]

“Put in the boys and God forgive me the order.”

[@davidhull1481]

I’m glad to see women doing videos here. History is not just for boys.

[@bigsarge2085]

✌️

[@therabbitify]

VMI? I LOVE VMI

[@zhubotang927]

Using your officer corp this way is not gonna help you with the war conflict. These are cadets for senior ranks later on.

[@arturogonzalez658]

They called Grant a Butcher, and Breckenridge sends young boys to their death.