Confederacy. Award Given to the Cadets of the Virginia Military Institute for Valor in the Battle of New Market, May 15, 1864. Bronze.
The cross-shaped drop measures 38 mm x 38 mm, and with hanger and short chain the entire piece is approximately 60 mm in length. The front of the drop features the state symbol of Virginia in the center, with VMI CADET BATALLION surrounding. The back is engraved V.M.I. / ALUMNI / ASSN. / TO / P.W. WOODLIEF. The pin-backed hanger reads FOR VALOR. We note the sale of a similar medal, lacking the pin and showing evidence of cleaning, for $10,625 in June 2017. This example, complete and in outstanding condition, should easily fetch more. Approximately 250 cadets from the Virginia Military Institute helped to defend the town of New Market, Virginia on May 15, 1864, resulting in the death of 10 and the wounding on 45. The cadets were held in reserve until ordered by General Breckinridge to come to the aid of the Colonel George S. Patton, Sr.'s Echol's Brigade. This medal was awarded in 1904 to the surviving participants of the battle, as well as the family members of those who had died in the battle or had passed away in the ensuing 40 years. This particular medal was awarded posthumously to the family of Pierre W. Woodlief, Jr. Pierre was born in 1846 and was a member of the class of 1867. He was a private in Company B, and was wounded in the Battle of New Market. He later became a merchant and was involved in the insurance business in Texas during the 1880s. He volunteered for federal service for the Spanish-American War in 1898 and served as a lieutenant in Cuba, and later as captain and adjutant of the Port of Gibara. He was mustered out at Camp Meade in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania in mid-1899, but died of illness at Camp Caffery in Covington, Louisiana later that year.