VALLEY THUNDER: The Battle of New Market

1-217220

Full-length account examines Battle of New Market on May 15, 1864 -- the battle that opened the pivotal 1864 Shenandoah Valley Campaign. Includes 16 b/w photos, eight maps, and woodcuts throughout. Introduces readers to a wide array of soldiers, civilians, and politicians who found themselves swept up in one of the war's most gripping engagements.

The Confederate victory drove Union forces from the Valley, but they would return, reinforced and under new leadership, within a month. Before being repulsed, these Federals would march over the field at New Market and capture Staunton, burn VMI in Lexington (partly in retaliation for the cadets' participation at New Market), and very nearly capture Lynchburg. Operations in the Valley on a much larger scale that summer would permanently sweep the Confederates from the 'Bread Basket of the Confederacy.'