New Market, Virginia
May 15, 1864
Historical Overview
In early May, Sigel’s Union force of about 8,000 advanced south through the Shenandoah Valley toward Staunton. It was hoped that the capture of this town would put further pressure on Lee’s supplies for the Army of Northern Virginia. To defend the valley, Gen. John C. Breckinridge had an improvised command of some 5,000 troops. This force included 247 boys from the Virginia Military Institute, aged between 14 and 18 years old.
The two armies met near New Market. Sigel occupied a low ridge north of the town known as Bushong’s Hill. He organized his force into two defensive lines, one behind the other. As Sigel was unwilling to attack, Breckenridge took the offensive. Imboden’s cavalry advanced across Smith’s Creek and succeeded in driving back the Union cavalry. In the center, Breckinridge’s infantry managed to push back the first line of Union troops. However, the Confederate advance slowed as they engaged the second line. It was at this point that Sigel should have counterattacked. However, he hesitated and Breckinridge was able to shore up his battle line. He instructed his ordnance officer, “Put the boys in and may God forgive me for the order.” The young cadets of the Virginia Military Institute moved into the battle line as Sigel finally launched his counterattack. The attack was made up of only three regiments and was beaten back by the Confederates who then resumed their own attack. The Union troops, tired and disheartened, fell back.
The stage is set, the battle lines are drawn, and you are in command. The rest is history.
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Set-Up Order
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Union Army
Franz Sigel
Take 4 Command Cards
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| 7 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
Confederate Army
John C. Breckinridge
Take 6 Command Cards
You move first
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| 6 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
Victory
6 Flags
Special Rules
• The Union and Confederate artillery as noted are “horse artillery” units. Place a flag token on these units to distinguish them from the other units. Horse artillery has a range of 4 hexes and may move 2 hexes and not battle, or it may move 1 hex and battle.
• The Virginia Military Institute’s corps of cadets (VMI Cadets) starts with only 3 pieces, and has a range of 3 hexes instead of 4. Place a flag token on this infantry unit to distinguish it from other infantry units.
Related FAQs
Do the first edition clarifications for New Market still apply, i.e., VMI cadets fire 3-2-1 and horse artillery fires 4-3-2-1 I the New Market scenario (BC:150 p.29)?
VMI Cadets will battle with 3 dice in adjacent hex, 2 dice and 1 die at three hex range.
Horse Artillery will battle with 4 dice in adjacent hex, 3 dice, 2 dice and 1 die at four hex range.
Horse Artillery may move 2 hexes and not battle or move 1 hex and battle. Also note that a Horse artillery unit order to move by a Bombard card may not battle.
