Virginia Military Institute - Bomb Yearbook (Lexington, VA)

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IniliT luitvy liri- tin- Cadets eliarged and captureil [laii of I iiimi liallt-ry uiulfr ' ou Klc-isler. THE BATTLE OF NEW MARKET There are few jiersons who have ever been coii- nectecl with tlie Mrgiiiia MiHtary Institute for whom the name New larket (hjes not connote a wealtli of experi- ence. To cadets, alumni, and others, this battle, fought exactly one hundred years ago, represents those intangible factors which made anil can continue to make the ySll an institution unique in spirit and achievement. The efforts of a group of cadets one fourth the size of the present Corps have served as bf)th achievement and in- spiration to those pursuing a unique intellectual path. In view of the obvious iuipfjrtance of this battle in our traditions it would .seem essential to consider the battle from a new perspective and lo afhx it in the |)roper slot among the elements of the historical inheritance of the present Corps of Cadets and that of all future Corps. Everyone familiar with the battle knows of the charge of the New Market Corps. But is this the only courageous and praiseworthy action of the Cadets at New Market. What can be truly regarded as the service of the Corps to the Confederacy in the spring of 1864, beyond one brief charge on a Federal artillery battery? The Civil War brought many hardships to the states of the Confederacy, but those it brought to the Cadets of VMI were hardly of a tragic, or even of a pathetic, nature. These young men constantly bemoaned the fact that they were considered too young to participate in their country ' s

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Contents THE INSTITUTE THE CORPS -. THE ACADEMICS THE ATHLETICS i THE ACTIVITIES 4 - N

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struggle for survival. ( Ontciiiporary iiccoiinls l ' ll of almost daily (le])artureN af fori iiiialc cailcls lo join in the armed couflict. ' J ' liis fruslraliou of yonliifiil ciirrf .v caused matters to come lo a lieail in a mass incclinf; of the cadets in the winter of 18(i;5. In I his mccling IIj cadets resolved to offer their services lo llie Confederal Army when and where needed. In April (jf ISOl Ih Superintendent, General Francis IT. Smilh, offered Ih services of the Corps through the j)ro|)er channels. In reply to this offer he was informed of I he Confederacy ' s appreciation of his offer and its preference for the Corps to remain in Lexington. General Lee, it seemed, had theorized that by remaining in training in Lexington the Corps of Cadets would be in a position to llireaten a Federal thrust in western Virginia. This small but ready western force would relieve him of the necessity of de- taching another portion of his own sparse forces to campaign in the Valley. Little did the Corps realize how soon their assistance would be utilized. In early May of 1864 General Brecken- ridge found himself faced by a Federal thrust under General Franz Siegel. In an effort to bolster his insuffi- cient forces, Breckenridge issued a call for the Cadets on Mav 9, 1864. In Ihc carlv niorniiij. ' Iioufi of May ) I, )80J, fjf.-n ' .Tal I5r ' ' ' k.-nrid(. ' r- ' , ord.-r, n-:, -]„; the ' .MJ. The cadets wen- awakcnid and inniii-ilialci. - began prc[jaratiori.s for their njarch np Ihc all -y to meet Sicgel ' s forces. Karly on the morning of the lllh the cadets began their three-flay march lo New Market. ' I ' his march to the battle was in ilscH ' a Irial of the di ci[)lin - and strength of the cadet.s. ' I ' licy were allcrnalcly uarmed by the spring sun and soaked lo Ihc skin by sudden downjjonrs. Finally on May ]4lh the cadets arrival at . w Market and ,s ,-t up camp, not realizing how soon Ihc culmination of their adventure would come. The actual engagement between Federal and Con- federate forces was in three phases: an artillery battle, the advance of the Confederates, and the pursuit of the routed Federal troops. The opening disposition of troops was centered on two liills: the Confederates occupied Shirley ' s Ilill, while the Federals were deployed on Bushong ' s Ilill. In this early stage of the conflict the Cadets were, much to their disappointment, detailed as reserves. After the opening salvos of artillery, Breckenridge, unable to lure the enemy into attacking him, ordered his troops to advance. The Confederate advance was soon Col. Scott Sliipp was Coiiim.indant of Cadets in 1864, and was carried wounded from tile tield at Xew Market. General Francis H. Smith w-as first !5uperii,tendent and Superintendent at the time of Xew Market.