The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1907-10-03
THE BATTLE OF NEW MARKET.
Prominent Part Takenin the Battle By
The Cadets Of the Y. N. l.
Judge G. T. Garrett Wounded.

Judge G. 7. Garrett Wounded.
Editor of The Journal.
l received a few days ago a
beautiful picture representing the
part taken bv the Cadet Corps of
the Virginia Military Institute in
the battle of New Market, from
the artist-eX-cadet, ]. L. Warning
For the benefit of your readers l
give a short account of the cap
ture by these beardless youths of
Won Kleiser's Battery, consisting
Of four brass Napoleon guns and
two twelve-pOund HOwitzers.
General Sigel of the Federal
Army entered the Valley of Vir-
ginia with 10000 men in the
spring of 1864 and advanced upon
StauptOn, He was met by our
Gen. Breckenridge in command
of 5000 men on the 18th Of May
at New Market, and after a hard
fight was defeated and driven
from the field. The cadet bat
talon of four companies, num-
boring 2o4, commanded by Col.
Scott Ship, formed a part of
Breckinridge's command, and
contributed largely TO the defeat
of Sigel, Major Peter ]. Otey in
an address or the battle of New
Market. SAYS of the gallant charge
Of the cadets in Won Kleisers
Battery; " Down the hill the
cadets move in perfect alignment,
their step is to martial music.
The enemy stands transfiXed in
admiration and amazement.
Who are they? Regulars? What
do l see? The V. NJ. l. boys
they pause-front rank kneels
and volley is fired into the
breasts of the Federal line. For
ward, double time Do they
falter? The belching of cannon
makes the atmosphere hazy, Now |
the FederalcsEeess!er~-c~ puurS its
volley1nto them. Do they stop?I
I'iey do not finch. They have |
been trained to obey orders, and !
Forward was the order. What
a sight Breckenridge's eyes
dashed fire as Re saw these boys
pit themselves against the sea
soned veterans Of Sigel. They |
pierce the centre. driving every
thing before them, and BreCken-
ridge exclaimed: Glorious
Grand! Superb! The day is
saved! The gallant 800 at Their
mopyala, the charge of the inn
mortal 900 at Balaklava fur
nished no more brilliant record |
of heroism than the charge of the |
V. NJ. l. cadets at New Market"
Now for the testimony of one
on the Federal side who wit
messed the charge. capt. Frank |
lin L. Town of the United States
Signal Corps says: Standing |
on the crest of the hill. after a
short time, / observed a line
forming at its foot which seemed |
like a regiment in extent. 1t
looked SO natty or smart In APP
pearancc as instantly TO suggest
our own pet regiment-the Sew
enth of New York city. We were
able to identify them as the bat
talon of the V. M. l. cadets, and
A more soldierly corps never faced
an enemy. They came on stead
lily without any sign of faltering. /
[ saw here and there some fall
out OF line and lay where they
ell, but their comrades closed up
he gaps and passed on. Their
pace increased to double time,
md at last the charge, and up to
he guns, which they surrounded
md captured AS military
spectacle it was most beautiful,
md as a deed of war it was most
Grand. ! do not believe that the
history Of wars contain a record
If a deed more chivalrous. more
heroic. more daring or more hon
,rable than the charge Of these
lOVS To q victory Of which sea-