After Action Report: New Market

From: Hqtrs 1st Battalion, Birney's Division
Date(s): 13-15 May
Station: New Market, VA

13 May:
Battalion began arriving in the vicinity of New Market, VA beginning Friday afternoon and throughout the evening. A short rain shower hampered camp set-up, but as canvas began to spring up the rain subsided to a nice clear evening. LTC Rohrbaugh and CPT Murphy attended a brief officers meeting at 1st Division HQ with acting commander Brig. Gen. Frye in charge of the army while Maj. Gen. Baldwin was attending to matters elsewhere. Initial orders for the next day were issued and camp was quiet by 12 o'clock.

14 May:
Revielle was at 7 o'clock sharp and roll call was conducted within the battalion. First reports showed 35 rifles in line broken into to companys; 1st company consisting of the 3rd Maryland, 54th PVI, and 3rd US Co. B and 2nd Company consisiting of the 2nd Rhode Island. Company Drill was held at 8:45 and Battalion Dress Parade followed at 9:30. The final reports after Parade showed the following numbers, 6 heavy guns of artillery, 10 mounted Cavalry and 9 dismounted cavalry. Confederate numbers were estimated to be almost double the Federal forces. At 1:45 the battalion was ordered to move out in support of a forward battery of guns north of the Bushong Farm. 1st Company detached a squad of skirmishers under 1LT Guilliams to extend the skirmish line with the cavalry and watch the battalion right. 1st company was ordered forward to support the skirmish line and the forward gun, which under withering fire was disabled and abandoned. 2nd Company, under CPT Don Hixson held a reserve position on the main gun line and supported the skirmish line with rifle fire. With overwhelming numbers to the front coming south of the Bushong Farm, 1st company was forced to fall back with the skirmish line, with 2nd Company moving up in support. After a stubborn defense and taking heavy casualties the battalion was forced to withdrawal, making the confederates pay for every inch taken til forced of the field. Evening set in and the companies had a nice dinner and were entertained by the battalion fife and drum corps til lights and tattoo was sounded at 10 o'clock. Weather all day was sunny and warm with no rain to slow the arrival of General Baldwin to retake command of the army for the upcoming next days action. The men bedded down for the night with a small rain shower rolling through as the men slept.

15 May:
After a reconisiance patrol by Maj. Bill Raymond's cavalry showing the confederates withdrew back to the south of the Bushong farm, the battalion was ordered to take up defensive positions in the orchard around the Bushong Farm. Supported by dismounted cavalry on the right and a small howitzer to immediate rear, the battalion took up positions and posted a picket line to the front. Confederate artillery opened up the action, and the battalion was soon engaged by two small confederate battalions, one of which was the VMI Cadets. The battalion again put up stiff resistance, giving ground slowly and taking heavy casualties until the overwhelming odds forced the men to break and flee to the rear with the Battalion colors. LTC Rohrbaugh fell into the hands of the Confederates but was soon paroled and exchanged for a rebel commander of equal rank. Once the battalion was consolidated camp was broken and the long retreat north began.


Submitted 15 May

Captain M. Murphy
Adjutant, 1st Battalion Birney's Division


On a side note, all and all the weekend couldn't have been better. The weather held off til after everyone was packed up and back on the road for home. General Baldwin and his staff couldn't have been more pleased with the performance of the men and made that known to us numerous times over the weekend. I think I can speak for LTC Rohrbaugh that we couldn't have been happier with the performance of the men that were on the field. I hope that how things were this year will continue on for years to come and make this event the great event that it used to be. I would like to thank LTC Rohrbaugh, 1LT Guilliams, Maj Doyle, and the rest of the officers and NCO's that helped make this weekend run without a hitch.