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In the battle of New Market Virginia there was a loss of 1,372 men, 531 confederate men and 841 union men were injured as soldiers fighting for their cause. This was a 13.2% injury rate overall with a 13% rate on the Confederate side and a 13.4% rate on the Union side.  General Ulysses S. Grant assigned General Franz Sigel to the battle and on the confederate side Robert E. Lee assigned General John C. Breckinridge to fight for the confederacy.  John C. Breckinridge took the initiative to attack Sigel's superior fighting force and gained the upper hand early on and pushed the union out of the city.  During the battle the Union had to withdraw a battery and restock on ammunition; however it was quickly exploited by Breckinridge.  Sigel was forced to retreat and they returned to the north of Cedar Creek.  This battle was initiated because General Ulysses ordered for the army to cut the railroad lines that the Confederacy was using.  This battle marked the first phase of federal operations involving the Shenandoah valley.  This was a big mission on the list of things to do for the Union army, Shenandoah Valley was considered the “Breadbasket of the Confederacy”, this place was a massive aid for the Confederacy because they could get food from here and also it was a direct path into the north without much threat comparatively to other locations.

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The significance of this battle is commonly overlooked and is in fact a very important battle for both the Union and Confederacy.  The significance of this battle is found in the importance of Shenandoah Valley, the Breadbasket of the South.  It was very important for the south to keep this as a stronghold that allowed them to hold an advantage over the north.  Obviously vis versa the north knew that if they could take over this land it would be a massive step forward towards winning the civil war and reuniting the United States.  The outcome of this battle could easily have a massive effect that could turn the tides of the war if utilized properly, however in this battle the Union came up short and the Confederacy kept their position.  This had big political, social and economical effects on both the Union and Confederacy.  Politically this win was a very big win as it ensured the holding they had on Shenandoah Valley and kept their position safe.  They could use this victory to sell propaganda and make sure the citizens still have faith in the Confederate army.  Politically this loss did not bode well for the Union army, this was a battle that would have been a major help in coming back from what had so far been a major deficit because the Confederate army was winning the war at this time.  Overall the citizens, others in the government and even the president himself, Abraham Lincoln, were all dissatisfied with the way the war was going.  This is also a social aspect that was the result of the battle's outcome, the south at the time was already winning a lot and this battle as did the rest that were won by the Confederate army only helped to boost both the armies and citizens' pride.

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"On Tuesday night at 9 o. clock I recd. a dispatch from Maj. Gen. Breckinridge, by courier, that
an advance up the valley was threatened by Sigel, & directing me to move the cadets with a
section of Artillery to Staunton where he was. The order was accordingly given, & they left at 7
A.M. yesterday, expecting to reach Staunton today.
I am detained by a severe hoarse cold, but expect to join by day after tomorrow. It appears the
movement of Sigel is a mere demonstration by way of diversion. I was also ordered to have the
reserves in readiness & I am today making arrangements to issue their arms & ammunition." This document is written by one Francis H. Smith, the Superintendent of the Virginia Military Institute. This time the source is a series of letters written by Francis H. Smith for purposes of both communication between him and Robert E. Lee and the information that was given to him regarding the series of battles taking place in Shenandoah Valley. This is a very reliable and trusted source coming directly from the Virginia Military Institute about one of their own. It is a great piece of preserved history that can definitely be of great help to historians studying the subject.

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"This has been a cool blusterey day. Several large scouting parties were sent out to day and every one is
on the "qui vive" for rebels. It is said that they are advancing down the valley on us but it is to be hoped that it is untrue as we are not ready for rebels yet. Sigel paid us a flying visit on yesterday. Preparing for action if necessary in our command."   This was written in the diary of a Union soldier and was preserved and later published after being put up in a library. The diary was kept by the man likey just as a way for the man to write his thoughts down and was seeming not for any purpose other than for the writer to use. This is a good source because it shows how the men under Sigel were indeed not ready for the battle of New Market and the outcome proves this just as the diary says. It is good to have a written account of the events by one of the soldiers. However the information given is very limited and could easily be forged as we do not know the author and we can only trust that the men George W. Adams and John A. R. Varner were truthful and did not fabricate this.

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https://www.battlefields.org/learn/civil-war/battles/new-market

https://www.shenandoahatwar.org/battle-of-new-market

https://dspace.wlu.edu/bitstream/handle/11021/23796/WLUcoll0019_b01_f03_01.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y

https://www.vmi.edu/archives/manuscripts/new-market--vmi-in-the-civil-war/battle-of-new-market/

https://digitalcollections.vmi.edu/digital/api/collection/p15821coll14/id/1013/page/0/inline/p15821coll14_1013_0

https://www.battlefields.org/learn/maps/new-market-va-battlefield-may-15-1864

https://www.historynet.com/put-boys-battle-new-market-1864/

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In the picture above we can see a battle map and the various detailed descriptions and planned details of the battle.

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Historical map of the Battle of New Market

New Market, Virginia Battlefield May 15, 1864

[Surveyed in 1910-12 by B. Allison Colonna under the direction of B. A. Colonna, Cadet Captain, D Co., Corps of Cadets, Virginia Military Institute, May 15, 1864, and late asst., U.S. Coast & Geodetic Survey in charge of office. Wm. E. Johnson, draftsman.

Colonna, B. Allison.

Washington, D.C., Norris Peters Co., photo-lith., c1914.

Scale 1:15,840.
Reference: LC Civil War Maps (2nd ed.), 585
"This map shows the battlefield as it was May 15, 1864. It is based on the Woodstock, Va., sheet of the U.S. Geological Survey as shown in the subsketch [inset]. The woods, orchards, houses and other cultural features are by Frank J. Bushong, the best living authority, confirmed by Mr. Hupp, of Sperryville, Va., who also pointed out on the ground the Imboden-Boyd action of May 13, 1864. The places where certain ones fell are from lifelong residents of New Market, who were there on the day of the battle, and from J. H. Dwyer, of Woodson's Missourians."
Shows troop and artillery positions, roads, drainage, vegetation, and relief by contour lines and hachures. Fifty important points are keyed by number to a list to the left of the map.
Inset: [Topographic map of the Shenandoah Valley extending from Rinkerton to Melrose showing events associated with the battle of New Market.] 24 x 15 cm. (irregular shape)
Description derived from published bibliography.

Library of Congress Geography and Map Division Washington, D.C. 20540-4650

Learn More: Battle of New Market

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New Market, Va., battlefield May 15, 1864

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Historical map of the Battle of New Market New Market, Virginia Battlefield May 15, 1864 [Surveyed in 1910-12 by B. Allison Colonna under the direction of B. A. Colonna, Cadet Captain, D Co., Corps of Cadets, Virginia Military Institute, May 15, 1864, and late asst., U.S. Coast & Geodetic Survey in charge of office.

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The image above shows local police officers and officials helping with the battle preparation by setting up cannons.

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Although it hard to identify which side it is, this is a picture of soldiers during the actual battle of New Market Virginia.

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Above is General Franz Sigel who was appointed by General Ulysses S. Grant to the battle of New Mark Virginia.

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Here we can see a line of men all firing there guns towards the enemy. In this picture there is a long line of young Virginia Military Institute cadets after being called out to battle by General Robert E. Lee.