general john c. breckinridge, the commanding southern general, held the cadets in reserve and did not use them until union troops broke through the confederate lines. upon seeing the tide of battle turning in favor of the union forces, breckinridge stated, "put the boys in...and may god forgive me for the order." the vmi cadets held the line and eventually pushed forward across an open muddy field, capturing a union artillery emplacement, and securing victory for the confederates. the union troops were withdrawn and confederate troops under general breckinridge held the shenandoah valley.