Charles R Knight

The Battle of New Market was primarily of interest because of the charge of the VMI cadets. They had accompanied Breckinridge’s small “army” as reserves, not to be used unless absolutely necessary. However, it became necessary when the Confederate center temporarily gave way.

The outcome of the battle was determined primarily by the sluggishness of the Union commander, Franz Sigel. He was slow in moving his army to the battlefield, and even then did not move it as a unit; the first unit to engage was Augustus Moor’s ad hoc brigade. The last units of the army on the scene only arrived to cover the retreat. Sigel’s superior, General Grant, blamed him for the defeat — as did most of the members of his own army.

Author Knight, a former Historical Interpreter at the New Market Battlefield State Historical Park, has written a book that mostly supersedes William C. Davis’ otherwise excellent work of more than thirty years ago.… (meer)

An inconsequential two brigade encounter battle in the Shenandoah valley has become a fan favorite of Civil War readers and authors. In contrast to the ugly trench warfare so common in 1864, here we find all the "glorious" elements of war: eagerly charging boys and an upset victory against an incompetent foreign born US general. Sigel is certainly to blame for sending his insufficiently trained troops into battle, for breaking up their brigade structure and for not keeping them within supporting distance. A few regiments bore most of the casualties, most of which died in vain.

Knight's competent account is a good update to the hitherto seminal book by William C. Davis. Knight offers good portraits of the commanders involved, a comprehensive narrative of the battle and a full set of maps and a plethora of appendices. The only quibble is the scale of the maps. Most of the battle action occur within a square inch field. Davis' much closer scale was a much more sensible choice to present the action. Some of Davis' great photographs are not present in Knight's book, thus the two books complement not supplant each other.… (meer)