American Battlefield Trust

American Battlefield Trust — October 2022

Originally published October 2022 · pp. 18–19

The Trust Endeavors to Protect 52 Acres in Virginia, Georgia and Mississippi As the Trust contends with a growing range of threats and skyrocketing prices, it is more important than ever to push forward in the name of preservation! In its most recent fundraising campaign, the organization looks to save 52 acres at three separate sites: three acres at Chancellorsville in Virginia; 18 acres at Gilgal Church in Georgia; and 32 acres at Corinth in Mississippi. Faced with a total transaction value of more than $1.6 million, the Trust has already received support from landowner donations and is expected to receive government grants. This brings the estimated fundraising need to $160,680, meaning every dollar donated will be multiplied by $10.30! The three sites represent big strides for the Trust, as it has thus far saved approximately 1,322 acres at Chancellorsville and 792 acres at Corinth; the opportunity at Gilgal Church marks the organization’s first preservation endeavor at the Georgia site. Beyond acreage, these battlefields are home to stories of bold and brave actions. At Chancellorsville, the Trust seeks to protect a three-acre tract associated with Gen. Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson’s ferocious flank attack. Instructed by Gen. Robert E. Lee, Jackson undertook an audacious 11-mile flanking march to spring a surprise attack on the unprotected Union right flank, causing mass devastation. This land will allow the Trust to complete preservation of the battlefield section on which this legendary attack unfolded. The 18-acre Gilgal Church property saw fighting June 1517, 1864, as part of the Atlanta Campaign. If successfully funded, the Trust intends to place a conservation easement on the property for use as an historic park just outside downtown Atlanta! The largest tract, 32 acres at Corinth, includes the onceextensive seven-mile line of earthworks, often called “the Beauregard Line.” It was built in 1862, by Confederate forces using slave labor, to defend the strategic transportation hub. After the Union victory at Corinth, this land became part of the Corinth Contraband Camp, established for thousands of the formerly enslaved. Several of these men later formed the 55th U.S. Colored Infantry. To help the Trust save these 52 historic acres, visit our website at www.battlefields. org/52ThreatenedAcres.

The current-day Crossroads of Corinth. (Photo by Mike Talplacido)

Trust Brings Teachers Together for 20th Annual National Teacher Institute Teaching in 2022 comes with a host of challenges, but the American Battlefield Trust has educators covered when it comes to discussing America’s complex past. For example, its free, dualtrack Teacher Institute recently provided outstanding continuing education opportunities to more than 860 individuals from four countries and 42 states, via online and in-person (in Mobile, Ala.) events this summer. While the on-site National Teacher Institute is a long-time Trust tradition, it was paused for the past two summers while a virtual option was offered; this year marked the first time teachers could choose between the two options. The events played host to K-12 teachers and administrators, museum professionals, librarians, and college-level educators, all eagerly absorbing wisdom from speakers covering conflicts ranging from the Revolution to the Vietnam War. Attendees in Mobile fell “Into the Depths of History,” via breakout sessions, workshops, lectures and tours to Forts Blakeley and Gaines, Historic Mobile, Historic Pensacola Village, and the USS Alabama. Educators also heard from Medal of Honor recipient Melvin Morris, would erase a significant part of the battlefield and damage interpretation efforts, endangering already preserved land and undermining future preservation opportunities. To learn more about this effort and show your support, visit our website www.battlefields.org/ ProtectWyseFork.

who spoke about his military service, the concept of valor, and what educators can do in their classrooms to recognize acts of valor on and off the battlefield. In coming years, the organization will continue offering a dual-track program with in-person and online options; both will remain free and provide an opportunity to procure Continuing Education Units. Next year’s in-person Teacher Institute will bring participants to Baltimore, Maryland. For additional educator resources, please visit www. battlefields.org/learn/educators.

Meet the 2022–2023 American Battlefield Trust’s Youth Leadership Team The Trust has identified and trained a talented new group of teens to serve as the organization’s 2022–2023 Youth Leadership Team (YLT). The 10 participants will engage classmates, neighbors and local decisionmakers by taking on custom-designed projects that pursue preservation and interpretation goals and make a tangible impact in their corner of the country. Since its inception, the program has been wildly successful, attracting the financial support of the Pipkin Charitable Foundation and the acclaim of members who had the opportunity to engage with the 2021–2022 cohort at our Annual Conference in May. The full roster of the 2022– 2023 Youth Leadership Team includes: Addison Anderson,

14, of Loveland, Ohio; Grace Schroeder, 17, of West Linn, Ore.; Ella Dieterlen, 17, of Dillsboro, Ind.; Ana Kangsumrith, 16, of Fairhope, Ala.; Sriya Tallapragada, 15, of New Providence, N.J.; Ahmya Rivera, 17, of Elizabeth City, N.C.; Jacob L.T Bates, 15, Stonington, Conn.; David Mackowski, 16, of Georgetown, Texas; Colter Sienkiewicz, 17, Livingston, Mont.; Colin Y. Shen, 15, of Houston, Texas.

Efforts to Protect the Viewshed of the Gettysburg Battlefield Succeed This summer, the Trust joined forces with other preservation groups to successfully advocate against a proposed amendment to change the by-right allowable height for essential service structures in Cumberland Township from 35 feet to 175 feet. This could have had widespread and ongoing impacts on Gettysburg Battlefield’s viewshed. On July 26, the Board of Supervisors unanimously rejected the proposal. The situation grew out of a plan by the Gettysburg Municipal Authority to build a 175-foot water tower on historic Herr’s Ridge. Such a structure would create a massive visual intrusion on the First Day portion of the battlefield. While the need for the Gettysburg region to develop 21st-century infrastructure was recognized, it was stressed that the amendment was unwarranted, dramatically increasing long-term threats to the battlefield rather than identifying alternative solutions for one immediate need. In addition to its preservation partners, the Trust is deeply thankful for the 3,000 plus who heeded the call to action issued by email and social media plus those that signed letters plus those that signed letters facilitated by the Trust to the township board. Take action on behalf of hallowed ground and bookmark www.battlefields.org/preserve/ speak-out today.

Highway Interchange Threatens the Heart of the Wyse Fork Battlefield

Wyse Fork | March 8-10, 1865. (Courtesy American Battlefield Trust)

In rural fields just east of Kinston, N.C., the Wyse Fork Battlefield faces a new and devastating threat that could forever destroy the historic nature of the site. A proposed highway expansion would place a massive interchange directly in the heart of the battlefield, causing irreversible damage to this Tar Heel State treasure. The Trust and its partners strongly oppose the siting of this interchange and encourage state leaders to consider other locations. If this proposal moves forward, a piece of American history will be lost forever. At the end of February 1865, Union troops under the command of Maj. Gen. John M. Schofield took control of Wilmington,

N.C. Moving inland, Schofield’s forces were divided to move against Gen. Joseph E. Johnston’s Confederates. As these divided Union troop columns moved inland and repaired segments of railroad, Confederate Gen. Braxton Bragg aimed his forces in their direction, thus initiating the Battle of Wyse Fork. The importance of the battle is undeniable, taking place only two months before the Civil War’s conclusion. The fourday battle engaged over 20,500 forces and resulted in over 2,600 casualties. Adding insult to injury, the battlefield also contains the sites of two other Civil War engagements, as well as a Revolutionary War skirmish. The proposed interchange

Gratitude Abounds The Trust expresses many thanks to our friends at Emerging Civil War (ECW) for presenting our organization with the 2022 Emerging Civil War Award for Service in Civil War Public History at the ECW Symposium this summer. The organization also wants to extend its gratitude to all of those who travelled to Gettysburg in June to attend a celebration of the life of Edwin C. Bearss, whose impact on the battlefield preservation movement is still felt today. If you missed the event, watch the video here: www.battlefields.org/ BearssCelebration2022.