The Died On the Field of Honor wayside marker tells of the Virginia Military Academy cadets at the 1864 Battle of New Market. It is outside the entrance to the Virginia Museum of the Civil War at the New Market Battlefield State Historical Park in New Market, Virginia. (see map below).
From the marker:
Died on the Field of Honor
Gravestones of VMI Cadets
Of the 257 cadets from Virginia Military Institute who fought in the Battle of New Market, ten were either killed outright or later died of their wounds. Their legacy of service and sacrifice has inspired each successive generation of cadets. Since 1866, a commemorative ceremony has been held at VMI each year on May 15, the anniversary of the battle. The Corps of Cadets assembles on the parade ground, and the names of the ten New Market cadets are called. With each name, a cadet in the ranks responds, “Died on the Field of Honor, Sir.”
The tradition of the roll of honor dates from the French army of Napoleon I, who felt his troops would be inspired by the act of commemorating their fallen comrades. For VMI, the tradition reinforces the ties between cadets of today and their predecessors who fought at New Market.
Once this Roll of Honor is reported to the Commandant, a wreath is laid at each of the cadets’ grave markers, which lie beneath a statue entitled Virginia Mourning Her Dead. The statue was created by Moses Ezekiel, a world-renowned sculptor who fought in the battle as a private in Company C.
In 2005, the gravestones of the six cadets interred at VMI were replaced, and memorial stones for the additional four cadets added. The original six tombstones were transferred to the New Market Battlefield State Historical Park and installed here in 2006.
From the caption of the photo on the left:
VMI Cadets passing in review on New Market Day
From the caption to the photo in the upper center:
Virginia Mourning Her Dead
From the caption to the photo in the bottom center:
Moses Ezekiel as VMI Cadet and world-famous sculptor
Cadet
S.F. Atwell
Born in
Westmoreland Co. Va.
1846
Corporal Co. A Corps
of Cadets
Killed May 15, 1864
At Battle of
New Market Va.
Cadet
C. G. Crockett
Born in
Wythe Co. Va.
Dec. 3. 1846
Corporal Co. D Corps
of Cadets
Killed May 15, 1864
At Battle of
New Market Va.
Cadet
Thos. C. Jefferson
Born in
Amelia Co. Va.
Jan. 1. 1847
Corporal Co. B Corps
of Cadets
Killed May 15, 1864
At Battle of
New Market Va.
Cadet
Henry Jenner Jones
Born in
King William Co. Va.
March 10. 1847
Corporal Co. D Corps
of Cadets
Killed May 15, 1864
At Battle of
New Market Va.
Cadet
W.R. McDowell
Born in
North Carolina
Dec. 1845
Corporal Co. B Corps
of Cadets
Killed May 15, 1864
At Battle of
New Market Va.
Cadet
J.C. Wheelwright
Born in
Westmoreland Co. Va.
Nov. 16. 1846
Corporal Co. A Corps
of Cadets
Killed May 15, 1864
At Battle of
New Market Va.
Location
The Virginia Museum of the Civil War is in the New Market Battlefield State Historical Park. From exit 178 of Interestate 81 briefly take Old Cross Road west and immediately turn north on the George R. Collins Parkway and follow it 1.1 miles to the museum. (38°39’42.0″N 78°40’15.2″W)