VMI will be having their equivalent of Aggie Muster today commemorating the Battle of New Market that occurred 142 years ago today. The quote in the title was the order from Major General, John C. Breckinrige (former Vice President of the United States) to send 257 VMI students in one of the most famous charges of the Civil War. It resulted in 10 deaths and the wounding of 45 cadets. The charge occurred in a lightening storm in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley. The VMI cadets charged from the orchard of the Bushong Farm, through the Field of Lost Shoes and up a hill occupied by Von Kleiser's battery of Union artillery and the 34th Massachusetts Infantry. The young cadets routed the 34th and captured the artillery battery.

In a ceremony similar to Aggie muster the names of the dead will be called but instead of "Here," the answer will be "Died on the field of Honor."

Killed in Action:
Cabell, William H.
Crockett, Charles G.
Jones, Henry J.
McDowell, William H.
Stanard, Jaqueline B.

Died of Wounds:
Atwill, Samuel A., 20 Jul 64
Hartsfield, Alva C., 26 Jun 64
Haynes, Luther C., c. 15 Jun 64
Jefferson, Thomas G., 18 May 64
Wheelwright, Joseph C., 2 Jun 64

Wounded in Action:
Akers, Reuben C.
Berkeley, Edmund, Jr.
Bradford, John F.
Buster, William D.
Christian, Edward D.
Cocke, John P.
Corling, Charles T.
Darden, James D.
Dickinsen, Jesse I.
Dillard, William, Jr.
Garnett, Griffin T.
Garrow, Harris W.
Gibson, Franklin G.
Goodwin, James H.
Harris, Willis O.
Harrison, Carter H.
Hill, Archibald G.
Howard, John C.
Imboden, Jacob P.
Johnson, Porter
Jones, Walter S.
Macon, George K.
Marshall, Martin
Mead, Henry J.
Merritt, James L.
Moorman, Edwin S.
Pendleton, Robert A.
Phillips, Samuel T.
Pizzini, Andrew, Jr.
Preston, James B.
Randolph, Charles C.
Read, Charles H.
Shipp, Scott
Shriver, Samuel S.
Smith, Charles H.
Smith, Edward H.
Smith, Francis L.
Spiller, George
Stuart, John A.
Triplett, John R.
Upshur, John N.
Walker, Charles D.
Walter, Charles P.
Watson, William P.
White, Thomas W.
Whitehead, Henry C.
Wise, John S.
Wise, Louis C.
Woodlief, Pierre W., Jr.
Wyatt, John W.


The Bushong Farm House where the charge originated:



View the cadets had from the Bushong Orchard, across the “Field of Lost Shoes” to battery heights:



View from the Union lines back to the Bushong Farm:



Statue on VMI campus of Virginia mourning her dead:



The magnificent painting in Jackson Hall, just behind the statue of Virginia, of the famous charge:



Graves of six of the 10 cadets killed in the battle that lie at the base of the statue:






[This message has been edited by BQ78 (edited 5/15/2008 9:31a).]

I've been to VMI - that battle is the center of their "spiritual being" if you know what I mean.

It's a *small* campus, too. I was surprised by just how small. But scenic!

I dated a girl once from Washington & Lee - Lexington is in a very scenic part of the country.

In the list of the wounded, George Spiller, at least one of his grandson when to Texas A&M (class of '14). There may have been a few others, but don't have that geneology available at the moment. He moved to Jack County/Young County Texas after the War, became a land surveyor and married into the Loving Family.

I remember researching New Market for Dr Ashcrafts Civil War Class and saw the Spiller name and it was very familiar so I dug into it a bit more. It was considered a good thing by several of the Civil War buffs in the county. Mr Spiller '14 had passed on, but I knew him much earlier and I gave a copy of the paper to his son, who was surprised.

The Jackson Battery (Cadet manned) had been in action several times prior to New Market and after.

[This message has been edited by Bob75 (edited 5/16/2006 9:33a).]

I've also been to VMI and the Hay Market battlefield. Very cool on both!

VMI stated out as an arsenal and later became a college. Gen George C Marshall is one of their best known alums.

The class rings (they have two- a "battle ring" that looks very much like ours- and then a huge gaudy thing with the stone of your choice in it)has the Hay Market charge depicted on one side- and then something from your four years onthe other side. They have a pretty neat presetation ceremony for the rings. It is my understanding that if you do not graduate, you have to return your ring(s).

The senior class re-emacts the Hay Market march and charge each year. They march the ~90 miles to the battlefield, fix bayonets to ther rifles and then charge the field. The freshman (rats)are bussed to the site to see this- and then are presented their corps brass by the seniors (who carried the brass with them in their packs).

VMI still posts armed guards (cadets) at all gates around the campus- 24/7 rain, sleet/snow, etc. Evey prof/instructor wearsa uni- and is either active duty or retired military.

Seems like our early leaders at TAMU came from VMI- and thus we have seen over the years a lot of very close similarities (ie. organizationally, uniforms, class rings, code of honor, etc.).

144 Years ago today

my cousin attended vmi and graduated in '94, it is a very special place to be.

the history of that region is amazing, and if you are ever in the area take a trip over to washing & lee.

quote:

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I dated a girl once from Washington & Lee

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So did I. Coincidence?

Apparantly W&L girls are lacking in their taste in men.

How could an institution accrue a more glorious hour; how could students gain a more glorious legacy? VMI was hallowed that day. I have for years wanted to witness the ceremony. If I ever get to, I'm sure I'll blubber like a big fat baby.

145 Years ago today.

I have werved with a number of VMI grads over the years. They are proud of their heritage.

I salute them. Here.

I have served with a number of VMI grads over the years. They are proud of their heritage.

I salute them. Here.

quote:

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Apparantly W&L girls are lacking in their taste in men.

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78 - Not a math minor, huh?

Bob75, like you, I remember researching New Market for Dr Ashcrafts Civil War Class. I started to take his class in the summer, but I ended up dropping it to take another class. I went on and did my research that summer so I would have it all ready ahead of time when I took Dr. Ashcraft's class the following spring. I never got to take that class because Dr. Ashcraft had a stroke right before I was scheduled to take that class. I chose that battle because my granfather went to VMI for 2 years before dropping out to go fight in WWI. What was your reason for choosing that battle?

When I was a kid, Pappy always tried talking me into going to VMI, but I would tell him that I was going to TAMU so I could play football for the AGGIES. He would always get upset when I would tell him that and he would tell me there are more important things than football. Things like courage, duty, and honor.

Pappy took me to the reenactment when I was 6 or 7 years old. That was the coolest thing I had ever seen as a child. I can still remember him wiping the corner of his eyes when he said "Died on the field of Honor." I didn't really understand why Pappy was crying, at that time, but I cried along with him because if Pappy was crying, I was too. If he would have been alive when I graduated from high school, I would have been VMI bound.

TXAGBQ76, General George C. Marshall might be one of VMI's most well known alums, but Gen George S. Patton, Jr. might lay claim to that title. Gen Patton attended VMI, as did his father and grandfather, for one year as part of the class of 07 before he got his appointment to West Point. I have known 2 VMI Grads since I have been in the Army; like fossil_ag said in his post, they are proud of their heritage.
GIG'EM

AGGIE12B
JC '88

75:

Do I have a a math error somewhere?