May 15 marked the sesquicentennial of the Civil War Battle of New Market, a fight that forced Union General Franz Sigel and an army of some 9,000 men to flee the Valley . . . and one that shaped the ideals and culture of the Virginia Military Institute to this day.

The VMI Corp of Cadets fought as a military unit for the first time in that battle. They had marched from Lexington to the field as reserves. No one really expected them to fight. With his battle in the balance, however, the Confederate commander, General John C. Breckinridge, sent in Corps "Put the boys in," he is reported to have ordered, "and may God forgive the order."

Two hundred fifty-seven Cadets went into the fight. Struggling across a muddy field still known as "the field of lost shoes," they attacked and seized a battery of artillery and turned the guns on Sigels retreating troops.

Ten Cadets were killed outright or died of their wounds. Another 45 were wounded. The youngest was 15 years old; the oldest, 25.

To this day they and their fellow "New Market Cadets" are honored by the Corps in special ceremonies on the parade ground in Lexington: young men and women, black and white, from countries all over the world, passing in review with fixed bayonets, marching past Moses Ezekiel's statue, "Virginia Mourning Her Dead," and the graves of six of the ten who died. Ezekiel, VMI 1866, had fought at New Market.

Three of VMI's "New Market Cadets" have deep roots in Loudoun County.

Bolling Barton, is buried in Middleburg's Sharon Cemetery. He lived at "Exning" which still stands on Rte 50, east of Middleburg.

Edmund Berkeley, was from Aldie. The Berkeley House sits on a hill overlooking the village on the north side of Rte 50. He is buried at St Paul's Church in Haymarket.

Johns Mead, is buried in Leesburg's Union Cemetery.

Their graves were decorated on May 15 by local VMI Alumni.