Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1923-09-21


looking on United States Marines under
Brigadier-General Smedley D Butler,
yesterday afternoon reenacted the Civil
War battle fought at New Market in
1864 in conjunction with Cadets from
the Virginia Military Institute. For
two hours shot and shell flew thick and
fast between the Valley Turnpike and
he Shenandoah River on Shirley and
Bushong's hills, during which Father
Time turned back his books to SO years
ago for more than hundred veterans
of the battle who were present as
guests of General Butler.
Those who participated in the origi-
nal battle, many of them wearing the
old gray, said the reenacting was real
istic down to the smallest detail. They
saw the old Virginia Regiments, aug
mented by the cadet boys from V. M.
|. hold off the attack of General Frantz
Sigel's force and finally drive them,
scampering, away.
EASILY WITNESSED.
1t was great spectacle well worth
the long journey thousands made to
see it. The weather was clear and
vantage points for spectators abound
ed, making it possible for all to wit
ness it conveniently. 1t was estimated
that these were more Than 5000 auto
mobiles about the battlefield, most of
them i.arlsing about New Market. The
traffic was andled by Marine officers
and aut' .obiles were kept moving
along III. roads before and after the
b tile that there were no jams.
Ne Iarket declared holiday and
was crossed in its Sunday clothes.
Flags few from every dwelling, and its
main street was converted into lane
Of fIa0s and welcome signs for the
Marines and cadets. Early. in the
the village commenced to fill
up and after the battle the sidewalks
were so crowded that it was necessary
to brave the automobile filled streets
to get about. 1t was the biggest crowd
of people New Market has ever seen,
and will possibly ever see.
The historic re enactment of the
battle of New Market began at
o'clock Thursday afternoon. Union
and Confederate forces, commanded
respectively by MajorGeneral Franz
Sigel and Major-General James c.
Breckenridge, was represented by
bodies of marines, while Cadet regi-
ment of the Virginia Military Institute
re-enacted the part played by the
students of that institution in the origi-
nal battle.
The battle took place just outside
the town of New Market between the
Valley turnpike and the Shenandoah
River on Shirley's Hill and Bushong's
Hill, which were occupied respectively
by Confederates and Federals and on
the ground between. The battle ex-
ercises were finished by 2:30 p. m.
Several days ago visitors began to
assemble and each day streams of
traffic have been pouring in. 1t was
estimated that in the neighborhood of
20, 600 automobiles from all parts of
the United States arrived in this ,vicin
ity while each railroad train arriving
brought additional fight-seers.
Automobile parties from Virginia
and nearby states, as well, as
many from more distant points,
were present at the ceremony, and
with view to taking care of the
largest possible crowd, arrangements
were made to provide park space for
80, 600 machines. Elaborate prepare
tons were made to facilitate the hand
ling of the automobile traffic.
Marine sentries were stationed at all
roads on points ten miles from New
Market and handed to each auto
omblle driver rigid instructions as to.
traffic regulations and arrangement
for parking and the accommodations of
spectators.
NOTABLES PRESENT
Cabinet officers, government
Officials, high ranking officers of the;
Army. Navy and Marine Corps, foreign
diplomats, veterans of the Union and
Confederate armies and their descend
ants were among those attending.
Shortly after noon, Governor E. Lee
Trinkle and his official party, OCCUPY
| ing about dozen automobiles, arrived
from the state capital and many
citizens of the City of Richmond
were present at the battle exer-
cises Thursday. Other arrivals from
the navy department include Assistant
Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt,
Major General John A. LeJune and
Mrs. LeJune, Rear admiral David
Taylor and Rear Admiral II. E. Long,
Secretary of the Interior, Hubert
Work, Secretary of Labor, j. j.
Davis and Secretary of Agriculture,
H. C. Wallace, Gen. w. B. Freeman.
commander Of the Virginia division
Confederate Veterans; Colonel John
McElroy, of the G. A. r. Gen. Frank
Hines. Director of the veterans bureau;
Brig. Gen. Anton Stephan, command
ing District of Coiumbia National Guard,
and others who viii come by automobile