New Market Battlefield Tour

The Battle of New Market, fought in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley west of Luray, VA in May 1864, is one of the most fascinating small engagements of the entire Civil War. Here a Confederate force ably led by former Vice President John Breckinridge decisively defeated a larger Yankee army under the inept command of General Franz Sigel that was supposed to be supporting Ulysses S. Grant's main Union advance on Richmond further east. The battlefield has been meticulously preserved and interpreted over the years by VMI, since 257 of its cadets (ten of whom died in action) played a major role in the Rebel triumph. You're invited to join with members of the Chrysalis Arts & Culture Group on a tour led by Chrysalis President Craig Howell, a licensed DC guide specializing in the Civil War. We'll start with a visit to the New Market State Battlefield Park's magnificent Hall of Valor, a striking modernistic building housing one of the best Civil War museums you'll ever see. Then we'll do an easy walking tour of the battlefield itself; this should be no more than 2 miles long (if we do everything), with one little uphill stretch to negotiate. Expect mud, and perhaps some lingering snow or ice in shady spots, so wear appropriate boots or shoes. Admission to the Park is $10 adults/$9 seniors. Bring along about $10 for your driver. We'll eat lunch at a restaurant or fast-food outlet in town. We'll carpool at 9 a.m. from the East Falls Church Metro Kiss & Ride lot (to your right as you walk out of the station's only exit). We should be back by dark.