"Field of Lost Shoes" Topic

Planning another trip to the Shenandoah Valley at the end of the month and found I had somehow missed this movie about the VMI cadets at New Market:

YouTube link

It is fairly recent, and you can see it on Netflix (you will have to use the search to find it).

Pretty good movie with some good scenes (considering the budget).

I have been to VMI several times, but will be stopping again after seeing this inspiring movie of the Cadets at New Market.

If you have not seen this film, do check it out.

Kim

VMI is absolutely worth the visit. They have a great museum there, not just devoted to the Civil War. I hope on your trip you also go to the New Market Battlefield.

As to the movie, it makes "Gods and Generals" look like the work of Sergei Eisenstein.

Considering the movie's available budget it was a nicely done film that did honor to the young men of the VMI that fought at New Market.

New Market Battlefield isn't large, but it is a decent museum, and is easily accessed along the way. It is right off of the interstate. It doesn't take very long to visit, and I think it is worth the trip.

I agree with Rdfraf and Landorl. Not my favorite battle, but my favorite battlefield in the Valley. Well worth the stop, and you can see the movie there.

As to the movie, it makes "Gods and Generals" look like the work of Sergei Eisenstein.

I watched the works of Eisenstein when I was young and loved them. When I was older and looking at them through a historian's eye I found them wanting.

When FOLS came out several friends of mine saw it and all said the same thing: "I loved it. You'd hate it." I still haven't seen the movie. However I have been to the battlefield a couple of times, and I do recommend it. It is compact, and even with I-81 things haven't changed so much since 1864 that you cannot easily make out what happened where. I do recommend reading a good book on the battle before visiting the battlefield.

Movie was just terrible. The battle in the movie was even worse. You know those movies you watch and wish you had the time back.

Nah! It was worse than that!

It has been a long time since my visit but I must add my hearty endorsement to the positive comments regarding the battlefield and museum at New Market.

Has anyone gone to the Stonewall Jackson tomb? I have passed by it several times when going to Historicon and wondered if it would be a good stop.

Jackson's tomb is located in Lexington Virginia which is off Interstate 81 between Staunton and Roanoke. The Stonewall Jackson Shrine where Jackson died is located near Fredericksburg, and is what you are most likely thinking of. I've been to both. I wouldn't make a special trip, but if you are in the area they are both worth swinging by. IMO if you are in Lexington though I would hit the VMI museum and Lee Chapel and go to Jackson's tomb if you had time left over.

Don't forget this in Lexington: the house that Jackson lived in while teaching at VMI is open for tours. Between that, his gravesite, Lee's Chapel and museum, and the VMI museum, there's several attractions for a student of the Civil War to enjoy. Go see the Cadet battery on the VMI parade ground. Between the gift shops at Jackson's house, Lee's Chapel, and VMI, you can usually find some worthwhile books to add to your collection. The George Marshall museum at VMI, a great used bookstore downtown, and several good coffee shops add to the appeal!

(And no, I don't work for the Lexington Chamber of Commerce.)

Thanks guys. I will see about VMI next summer when I go up for Historicon.