Home of Jacob and Sarah Strickeler Bushong (Jacob the Grandson of Hans Phillip Bushong) picture taken 1912. Home is still open to the public and is Historical Monument New Market, Virginia.
Portrait of Sarah Sally Strickler Bushong that hangs over Fireplace in the Bushong House.
In the last years of the Civil War the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia was a major Battleground. On May 15, 1864 General Franz Sigel was moving south in the Shennandoah Valley with a force of 6000 men. The railway center in Staunton was their objective. The only Confederate force in the area at that time was the 5000 men of General john C. Breckenridge. The battle commenced South of New Market near Shirley's hall at about 11:00 a.m. Although skirmishes had begun at 9:00 a.m. and the artillery duel started before that. In the early afternoon, the battle was joined in Ernest with then Confederates pressing from the south and the Union forces slowly returning northward. Orders had been given to the Union Forces to burn all barns, stock etc. in the valley. In the midst of this stood the home of Jacob and Sarah Bushong in the following is an account of Edward Mark Bushong a nephew of Jacob and Sarah.
"Returning from a Social gathering of young folks in the neighborhood on the night of May 14 I detected a Yankee raiding party going south through the Alms house woods. About 4 a.m. I crossed the Valley Pike to my home, fed my horse and before daylight mounted and headed south. I had not proceeded far when I met James Bushong coming north he also had detected the Yankees. We at once conjectured that their object was the capture of the picket line, and we determined to get the boys together and give them a warm reception on their return, he taking one way and I another we very soon had a good chain of dispatchers.
By eight-o clock we had a good fighting force of fourteen. These men were: Martin Strickler, Abram Strickler, Allen Bowman, Silas Cabal, William Busherman, James Bushong, B.F. Hotel, S.K. Wright, E.M. Bushong, George Knight, George Bushong, John Hoover, Milton Cabil, Benjamin Cabil. We moved south parallel with the Valley Pike, marching far enough to conceal ourselves behind the hills, with one scout or lookout on higher ground. When we reached Henry Kootz's woods we could see the Yankees coming south, flankers right and left. After crossing the bridge thinking they were safe I suppose. They drew in their flankers, very much to our advantage.
They were marching along in a very good order unaware of their enemy being not two hundred yards from them. As their rear guard came up, the command to charge was given, and we struck them between their main column and rear guard. They made a very determined stand at the Big Pond for about three minutes and then broke. We pressed right on them poking their backs. About half a mile further on Maj. Young managed to rally about six or eight of his men, wheeled their horses and charged on us, our horses heads coming in contrast. Young's horse was shot from under him; this was a royal battle. Being out of ammunition, our revolvers empty and the enemy apparently in the same condition, we used our empty revolvers as clubs and went to clubbing. Inexperienced ones might inquire why we didn't use our sabers, time to short. To make the situation a little more lively Young's horse had not been killed by the shot only wounded and it began kicking and rolling around. One of his men managed to get Young up behind him and they took off at full speed. We fell back over the hill at Isaac Gossner's place. Reloading as we came out to renew our attack. "
By afternoon the main battle took place just 500 yards north of Jacob Bushong's house. The main Confederate line was in and along the Bushong farmyard, immediately north of the house along the rail fence. The ground was sodden as heavy rains had fallen for almost a week making the battle doubly hard for the soldiers, as they fought fiercely the muddy ground sucked their boots off, leaving them as a silent testament to the lives that were forever ended that day. Before the day was over the farm of Jac0b and Sarah would become know as "the Field of Lost shoes".
Jacob, Sarah and their four children took refuge in the cellar as the battle raged throughout the day, witness to the terrible crys of pain ringing out from their orchard. After the battle had ended, the army's silent and gone the family climbed the stairs and looked out the parlor window, They saw hundreds of dead and dying soldiers of both sides lying fallen in their Orchard.
Sarah with the help of two daughters and one daughter in law quickly stripped the Dining table to use as an operating table while Jacob and two of his sons began carrying the wounded soldiers to the window where they gently passed them through. The family nursed the soldiers for many weeks to come.
Today this home is owned by the State of Virginia and is open as a Historical Monument, it is known as the "Bushong Farm site of the New Market Battle" and is located in New Market Virginia. Bloodstains still mar the wood floor of the Parlor. This home was originally built by Henry Bushong son of Hans Phillip Bushong in 1825, it passed from Henry to his son Jacob who added on a rear wing in 1850. The compound consists of several buildings: Barn, Oven, Hen House, Ice House, Wheelwright Shop, Blacksmith Shop, Summer Kitchen, Wash house, Meat and Loom House.
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