In
2005 VMI Cadets Recreate 1864 March to New Market
At 0730 on Wednesday,May 11, sixteen modern-day Virginia
Military Institute cadets set out on an 84-mile recreation
of the
1864 march by cadets that ended in their victorious charge at the Battle
of New Market.
Wearing uniforms based on those worn by the cadets in 1864 and carrying Civil
War-era equipment, the cadets plan to be faithful in their recreation right
down to the food they will prepare when they camp along the route. Cadet Jeff
Durham, who organized the march, said departures from faithfulness include
marching only during daylight hours and having a van following the group, both
concessions made in the name of safety.
Members of a student club known as the Civil War Roundtable (CWRT), some of
the cadets are veteran Civil War re-enactors. For others, this march is their
first
taste of re-enacting. Cadet Durham will graduate from VMI on 16 May with a
degree in International Studies and receive a commision in the Air Force.
The group expects to arrive at the New Market Battlefield State Historical
Park at about noon on Sunday, the 141st anniversary of the battle. They will
join in commemorative activities at the battlefield,
including participating in the re-enactment of the battle.
The photographs below capture the events of the first day's march.
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On their way to
the Mess Hall for breakfast, cadets (in white) march past the VMI Civil
War Round Table cadets moments prior to the beginning of the march to
New Market. The CWRT cadets stand at the base of the bronze statue of
George Washington, the spot from which the march began 141 years ago. |
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With the fife and drum playing
"The Girl I left Behind Me" the CWRT depart from the front of Washington
Arch. In 1864, the cadets formed up
here to
listen
to the
orders
which
would
send
them
to
New Market. |
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Within a few minutes the spirited
cadets were crossing over the Maury River headed north. A reporter with
the Washington Times interviews Cadet
Durham "en route." The Institute can be seen in the background. |
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A concession to modern times:
waiting for traffic to clear at a stop light. |
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The route of march follows
the historical trail as close as possible. |
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After marching 50 minutes
and 2.5 miles, the cadets pause to rest for 10 minutes--- the march /rest
formula used by "Stonewall" Jackson. |
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Ten minutes later the cadets were back on the route. |
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By noon the cadets had covered 10 miles. The students of Fairfield
Elementary School were treated to a surprise history lesson when the cadets
arrived for lunch. |
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They are not dead, just sleeping. At the end of the first day's march--
18 miles-- the cadets enjoy a quick nap before pitching camp for the night. |
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Cadet Tolson takes a few minutes
to record the day's activities. |
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Can you spot the cell phone? |
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