The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-07-14


ginta TO the support of Richmond and
tho Army of Northern Virginia. And
the story is one of the most thrilling
in all the narratives OF minor and sepa
rate campaigns. While inferior in
numbers and equipment to its opposing
lines. the Confederate force was most
ably and slsilfully handled. with the
whole force brought on the field. with
~imirable harmony OF action, with
prompt obedience to orders and ,igor-
Gus Initiative when called for. and With
much OF conspicuous courage by Of
tcers and men in all parts OF the act
ion.
The general commanding. tbs hand
some John Cabell Breckenridge. so
evidently a born soldier and leader Of
brave men. in the midst OF tho bat
ialions and batteries. directed and led
with skill and energy beyond cues
ton or criticism. VITA him were Cen
eral lmooden OF the val,ey and Generals
Echols and Wharton from the South
west And under them were the Col
onels. Edgar and George Smith and
Derrick With the cadet battalion was
Colonel Scott Shipp, with the artillery
Major Mclaughlin. and on the staff
Major and Stoddard and Johnston Fam
iliar and distinguished names are
found Throughout; the Confederate
force. some in Office and some IN the
ranks of all the commands
The part taken in this battle BY the
Corps of Cadets OF the Virginia Mill
tary Institute has given t. the whole
engagement peculiar and pathetic in
terest in Virginia and the South and in
the North as Well
Ing about $50. in icur companies. too
youns to be enlisted in the army. sud
denly called from the barracks and
lecture rooms of their school. unused to
the march and the field of battle. whG
yet after march Of more than usual
exposure and fatigue went into the
fire OF battle with the veterans Of many
fields, and light and boyish as they
were, weary. hungry. physically faint
inE held their alignment like regulars
and moved steadily forward from one
position to another. leaving some dead
and many wounded behind. until in the
closing struggle they were In the cen
tire of the force which charged and
secured the victory that crowned this
day. History viii tell tho story over
and over again Those who from the
Federal side saw The steady coming
Of tina; line OF bows In gray have told
Of 1t hundred times with admiration
and applause snl Vii ginia will never
FORGET them
1t was not long after midnight tina,
the sleeping bdttnlioa was called from
tho we, ground into line IN the
shadows Of tho sight al Colonel sn,pr's
suggestion. Captain Frank Preston Of
Company B. offered prayer to God tnat
all might do heir duty we'll and vet
:heir heads he Coveted in the day Of
battle And all through tho long lay
until nisht came again there was no
fall 'ns step nor unwilling thought.
1t Mas the pun iss. :: The general COM
mar. ng to hOi4 The cadet battalion
in reserve and use IL only inactlor
sn'ild there &c Er=at need.
cut through tn changes m forma
ton and the new alisnments the cadet
line, moving steadily onward. gradually
came TO the front until at tho las;
making the centre OF the Confederate
advance. the battalion passed around
the two sides OF the Busnoag House
and, uniting. charged through the or
chard and seized the guns that were
sweeping the field. and 80. breaking
the centre OF the Federal line. com
PEELED It's retirement, and the day was
Won.
I, was not by any means true that
the V. NJ / Cadets We're the only
heroes Of the field 4 Sow Market.
The 26th Virginia Battalion, un der
Colonel George W. Edgar. on the ex
treme left OF the Confederate lire.
fought with such courage End steaii-
ness and ultimate success that h!siory
will not fail To recorI Its fame All
over the field and IN all arms Or the
command there we're signal displays
OF soliderly courage and galsntry. and
''there n r IN
these were sialwart men. the Veterans
OF other campo igns ana battles, Who
knew we'll the smell II powder and
were hardened ana steelod liz muscle
and courage. 1t was wonder and
JOY TO them 10 see the Virgini1 boys
as they came into place in line ana
then in the evening made their vic
torious charge
The field was not won by the cadet
corps alone nor could it have been
won without II.
The amount Of literature OF the Battle
OF Nef Marke, is unusual In tho North
and In the South. following the oii'oial
reports, came the published letters of
many participants Then came adj
dresses nv accomplished and eloquent
men. histories Of regiments and his
tories ~ the campaign. and witt this
growing literature cam. divergcncles.
CONVERSATIONS ana some lncioilcGl
over-statements In tho irteros; espec-
tally OF the Virginia Military lnsti-
tute Cadet Corps. the task of nnravel-
ling the complicated tangle. and IRE
pairing a reliable history. lust to all
parts Of the Confederata force. VAS
devoived upon Captain Henry J. Wise.
~ Baltimore, captain Of Company A
OF the Cadet Battalion, and. after Col
onel Ship vas disa bled. the senior
officer commanding However. the
matter accumulated in his hands until
IT had become extensive and some
what conficting The difnctlty Of
writing a history that would he i'm
partial and satisfactory TO all seemed
too sreat for one who himself was OF.
the ield. Captain Wise determined to
iovolve the preparation Of history
Of the New Market campaign upon
some competent historian. one no, per
sonallv connected with the battle or
any Of the commands engaged MIR
Edward Raymond Turner Ph. D. OF
rf.