American Battlefield Trust

Originally published September 2022 · pp. 18–19

American Battlefield Trust “Relentlessly” Seeks to Save 170 Acres Tied to the Civil War’s Western Theater The American Battlefield Trust is currently working to preserve 170 acres across three Western Theater battlefields: Lookout Mountain, Tenn., Mill Springs, Ky., and Fort DeRussy, La. Troops were relentless in their campaigns on these fields. Today, developers are relentless in their purchase and development of land without regard for historic battlefields. So too must the Trust be relentless in our mission to preserve precious pieces of hallowed ground for generations to come. The three targeted properties have a total transaction value of $1,590,288 but the Trust was relentless in its efforts to secure funding. Thanks to grants and a generous landowner, only $149,144 is needed. With a $10.66-to-$1 match, it is important to remember that all contributions can have a massive impact on these historic treasures.

Lookout Mountain is where more than 13,000 Federal and Confederate troops were killed, wounded, or captured. However, if you look around, your eyes will come to rest on the Lookout Mountain Tourist Lodge, abandoned, graffiti-strewn, and a complete eyesore. Now, the Trust aims to buy the one-acre tract, tear down the old motel’s remnants and begin the process of preserving the site in perpetuity. Two parcels totaling 147 acres will be sought at Mill Springs, the site marking the first significant Union victory in the Western Theater of the Civil War. The Federal victory there not only helped bolster Northern morale but also ensured that Kentucky would remain under Union control for the remainder of the war. Lastly, at Fort DeRussy, the site of the first battle of the Red River Campaign, the Trust is eyeing a 22-acre tract. The two-monthlong battle ended on May 22, 1864, and resulted in a landslide Union victory. As a result, the Red River from New Orleans to Alexandria was opened and helped the Union achieve their target, Shreveport, the capital city of Confederate Louisiana.

Even better, each site being pursued is adjacent to land the Trust has already protected. We could very well build connected and contiguous stretches of preserved battlefield land. To learn more about this effort, visit www.battlefields. org/170WesternTheaterAcres.

Commemorating the 160th Anniversary of the Battle of Cedar Mountain: Signage and Seminars! Just in time for the 160th anniversary of the battle that unfolded upon its soil, the Cedar Mountain Battlefield in Culpeper County, Va., is the recipient of brand-new interpretive signage. Over 10 panels discussing the 1862 battle were installed through the collaborative efforts of the American Battlefield Trust, Civil War Trails, Inc., Friends of Cedar Mountain Battlefield and the Culpeper Department of Economic Development and Tourism. The interpretive signs will enrich the visitor’s experience by highlighting the story of the battle and its participants, both of which

Mill Springs Battlefield in Nancy, Ky. (Photo by Michael Byerley)

Cedar Mountain Battlefield in Culpeper County, Va. (Photo by Judith Muffley) will be illustrated by including maps and photographs. They are a welcome addition, especially considering the battlefield’s upcoming incorporation into the new Culpeper Battlefield State Park. To further commemorate the 160th anniversary of the August 9, 1863, Battle of Cedar Mountain, the Friends of Cedar Mountain Battlefield are hosting a History Seminar from July 28. The event will include a number of presentations from architects, historians and authors, while the keynote presentation will be given by Pulitzer Prize nominee, Jeffry D. Wert. A variety of tours will also be offered throughout. To learn more about this event, visit https://friendsofcedarmountain. org/history-seminar-7-2022/.

Standing Tall in the Face of ModernDay Development, Opportunity to Save 52 Acres The epicenter of the Civil War’s Eastern Theater, Virginia witnessed some 40 percent of that conflict’s major battles. Suburban development pressures in Northern Virginia even spurred the creation of a modern battlefield preservation movement, and the concentration of historic resources has driven the protection of thousands of acres across from the Blue Ridge to the Tidewater. Today, development pressure remains feverish throughout the Old Dominion, partially because of the unprecedented demand for 21st century infrastructure like data centers, solar farms and distribution facilities. In line with its ongoing vigilance, the American Battlefield Trust has begun its latest Virginia campaign, seeking to protect 52 acres of historically valuable land at Cumberland Church, Reams Station and Manassas. The total transaction value for the three tracts is $1,018,500, but more than 85 percent of that funding is already accounted for, leaving just $145,000 left to raise, and offering donors a 7-to1 return on their investment. The three-acre tract at Manassas is the most expensive of the three properties targeted for development; it is also at the heart of the Second Manassas Battlefield very near the famous “Deep Cut.” At Reams Station, the Trust has the opportunity to fill a “hole in the doughnut” with a threeacre property that will contribute to a critical mass of protected battlefield. Currently, a modern home sits on the property. The 46-acre property at Cumberland Church, which marks one of the last desperate actions by the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia, is the Trust’s first acquisition opportunity on the battlefield. Here a letter from Gen. U.S. Grant passed through battle lines to eventually land in the hands of Gen. Robert E. Lee. The letter asked that Lee surrender a portion of his Army of Northern Virginia, a request to which Lee did not comply. For more details on the Trust’s current fundraising effort to save 52 acres at Manassas, Reams Station and Cumberland Church, visit www.battlefields. org/52VirginiaAcres.

Huzzah! 29 Acres at Cold Harbor Tavern Preserved Forever In late July, the Trust announced a long-awaited preservation victory on the 29-acre property once home to the “Old Cold Harbor Tavern” and across which two separate battles unfolded. The effort was made possible with support from the HTR Foundation, the National Park Service, and the Commonwealth of Virginia. Adjacent to the previously-saved 50-acre tract that had been designed for a

Manassas Battlefield in Manassas, Va. (Photo by Buddy Secor)

sportsplex, this land’s future is now certain. Despite succumbing to fire in the early 1900s, the Cold Harbor Tavern amassed over 100 years of memories and had particular importance during the Civil War. Its position at the intersection of the Gaine’s Mill and Cold Harbor Battlefields guaranteed the tavern’s front-row seat to combat. While the Trust wishes the original tavern was still standing, another dilapidated, semi-modern structure tarnished the battlefield landscape. So, with intent to revert these 29 acres to more closely resemble their historical appearance, President David Duncan, Chief Land Preservation Officer Tom Gilmore, and Land Stewardship Manager Matt George, along with a professional demolition crew, rolled up their sleeves and removed this eye-sore!

Explore People and Places of the Revolutionary War! Teaming up with the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Trust launched a brand-new digital exhibition: The American Revolution Experience. The exhibit examines the lives of 13 unique individuals who witnessed the dawn of a new nation. Touching on the fates of Patriots and Loyalists, men and women, black and Native populations, users will watch the physical journeys of the Revolution’s participants, discover thematic connections and explore contemporary connections. Check it out at https://american-revolutionexperience.battlefields.org.