New Market Battlefield State Historical Park (VA)
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The Confederate objective was the center of the Union lines atop Bushong's Hill (just out of the shot to the left). The VMI cadets advanced across this field towards the Bushong Farm...
New Market Battlefield State Historical Park
The advancing infantry (cadet's included) were supported by a four gun battery marked by the cannon in this photo...
The Bushong Farm was established in 1791 by Henry Bushong. It was later inhereted by his son, Jacob. By the time of the Civil War the farm encompassed 260 acres and included the main house and barn, the original farmhouse, a summer kitchen, an ice house, meat & loom house, blacksmith shop, wheelwright shop, and a hen house (all of which have been restored)...
New Market Battlefield State Historical Park
The eastern portion of the battlefield is accessible by a short tunnel under I-81. A nice path leads out to the impressive Pennsylvania monument seen here in the far distance to the left of center. The monument marks the position of the 54th Pennsylvania which found itself cutoff from the main Union line the afternoon of the 15th...
This unimposing wheat field had been soaked by three days of heavy rain before the battle so when hundreds of soldiers began to cross it on May 15, 1864 the field quickly turned into a muddy quagmire. Still under heavy fire from the hill ahead, the cadets had little time to retrieve lost footwear and many continued the attack barefoot...
A look at the battle ground from the perspective of the Union defenders. The entire route of the VMI cadet advance can be seen from here...from where they first set foot on the battlefield near the visitors center in the center-right distance, to the Bushong Farm left of center, to the infamous Field of Lost Shoes in the foreground...
New Market Battlefield State Historical Park
One of the major causes for a battle taking place at New Market is pictured here...the gap in Massanutten Mountain that gives quick access to the eastern half of the Shenandoah Valley. Without control of this gap the Union forces faced a 40-mile detour to reach the far side...
New Market Battlefield State Historical Park
The Union west flank rested against this steep cliff overlooking the Shenandoah River. The park maintains a couple of nice overlooks which treats visitors to amazing views of the now peaceful Shenandoah Valley...