American Battlefield Trust

Originally published September 2023 · pp. 18–19

Veer the Trust Toward Victory, Protect 32 Acres Tied to the Vicksburg Campaign In Mississippi, the Trust recently launched a campaign to save 32 acres of hallowed ground connected to the Vicksburg Campaign — at Chickasaw Bayou and Champion Hill. The acreage, made up of 12 different parcels, will help fill significant holes in the core of the battlefield landscapes. While the Trust has already helped preserve more than 1,200 acres at Champion Hill, this campaign marks only the second preservation opportunity at Chickasaw Bayou. Altogether, the total cost of this preservation opportunity is more than $2.1 million. However, with federal and state grants — some already awarded and some still pending — the Trust is left to raise $327,825 to finalize the deal. Each dollar contributed is expected to be multiplied by $6.50. Often referred to as the turning point of the Civil War, the Vicksburg Campaign saw some of the most consequential moments of the conflict. Why? Because of the Mississippi River — the primary conduit for supplies and communication through the south and a vital lifeline for goods going north. At Chickasaw Bayou, in December 1862, the Confederate victory impeded the Union’s attempt to capture Vicksburg, which was key to controlling the Mississippi River. The 11 acres we can save here are divided into eight parcels, each with a different owner. With every owner at the table and ready to sell, this is a prime opportunity for preservation. By the summer of 1863, war had landed upon the doorstep of the Champion family. Acknowledged by historians as the most decisive battle of the most crucial campaign of the Civil War, the Battle of Champion Hill concluded in a Union victory, which, combined with the following day’s success at Big Black River, weakened the Confederates’ position at Vicksburg. Eventually, the fall of Vicksburg marked a turning point in the war from which the South never recovered. Today, amid the 160th anniversary year of Champion Hill, the Trust has an opportunity to preserve 20 contiguous acres across six parcels. To learn more about this, and other preservation opportunities, visit https://www.battlefields. org/2023VicksburgCampaign.

Achievement Unlocked: Trust Meets 57,000-Acre Milestone As Americans celebrated the anniversary of the nation’s independence on July 4th, the Trust lauded recent preservation victories at two Revolutionary War battlefield sites. The success is comprised of four acres saved at Eutaw Springs, S.C., and more than a half-acre of land at Guilford Courthouse, N.C., pushing the

Trust’s preservation total to more than 57,000 acres. Furthermore, this additional acreage aids the Trust in its goal to protect 2,500 acres of Revolutionary War battlefield land for the upcoming 250th anniversary of America’s founding conflict — currently, 1,400+ out of the 2,500 acres have been saved. “The permanent preservation of 57,000 acres of hallowed ground is a remarkable tribute to the soldiers who fought for our freedoms, whose memory educates and inspires future generations,” said Trust President David Duncan. The half-acre at Guilford Courthouse played a role in the March 1781 battle, when British General Charles Lord Cornwallis’s army of 2,300 men engaged a larger force under Major General Nathanael Greene. The land lies within the Historic Landmark Boundary of Guilford Courthouse National Military Park in the middle of the British advance in the battle. With its purchase, the park aims to better tell a holistic story of the battle.

Eutaw Springs Battlefield in Eutawville, S.C. Photo by Ryan Montgomery. Meanwhile, the four newly protected acres at Eutaw Springs played host to soldier encampments and fighting during August 1781. It also retains a witness tree that has stood sentinel for centuries. “We won’t rest with this new milestone reached. Indeed, it only encourages us to carry on and continue our work to save more,” said Duncan.

Leaders in Battlefield Preservation Recognized at Annual Conference At its 2023 Annual Conference in Franklin, Tenn., the Trust recognized two top battlefield

Champion Hill Battlefield in Hinds County, Miss. Photo by Mike Talplacido.

preservation advocates with the organization’s annual preservation leadership awards. Dr. Carroll Van West, state historian and longtime director of the Middle Tennessee State University Center for Historic Preservation, received the State Preservation Leadership Award, and the Tennessee Wars Commission received the Brian C. Pohanka Preservation Organization Award. These leaders were recognized for their efforts in helping advance history and preservation in the Volunteer State. The Tennessee Wars Commission was presented with the Trust’s Brian C. Pohanka Preservation Organization Award in recognition of its work in advancing the study of military history in Tennessee. Together, the Trust and the Tennessee Wars Commission have saved hundreds of acres across the state and worked to administer grants related to interpretation and restoration work. Dr. Carroll Van West was recognized for his work in championing Civil War history and preservation in Tennessee. As the gubernatorially appointed state historian, Dr. Van West has been a strong voice for preservation across Tennessee.

Calling for Support to Advance Advocacy Efforts Across Battlefield Communities Last year, a threat crystallized in Orange County, Va., the likes of which battlefield preservation has never seen before. The “Wilderness Crossing” megadevelopment would cover 2,600 acres of the historically sensitive landscape with residential units,

Trust President David Duncan presents representatives of the Tennessee Wars Commission with the Pohanka Award. Photo by Buddy Secor. commercial and industrial space, data centers and distribution warehouses. Despite community opposition and serious concerns raised by historic preservation groups and the National Park Service, among others, the Orange County Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 to approve the project in late April. After weighing options and consulting with specialist counsel, on May 24, the Trust filed a legal challenge seeking to overturn this rezoning — joined by allies at the Central Virginia Battlefields Trust (CVBT) and Friends of Wilderness Battlefield (FOWB), which also own and manage land set to be impacted by the project, as well as local citizens. The suit identifies numerous failings in the process through which the proposed development was considered and in the resulting rezoning, which cleared the way for 5,000 residential units, plus vast commercial and industrial development spread over 800 acres. For example — just before the final vote — the developers revised their proposal again, removing the five-millionsquare-foot cap on data center and distribution warehouse volume, allowing them to build as much industrial use as can be crammed into 750 acres. This was done without any analysis of the impact on historical resources. As a steward of historic landscapes, the Trust saw a responsibility to advocate boldly on their behalf through this suit. But legal proceedings are expensive, and the organization does not wish for this work to detract from its core land acquisition mission. As a result, the Trust asks for donations earmarked for advocacy efforts like this, as well as other grassroots activism in battlefield communities across the country. The Trust has often sought win-win solutions, working with officials and developers to find a proper balance between development and historic preservation. However, when arguments fall on deaf ears or the process is circumvented to prevent consideration, the organization remains willing to fight.

Chief Historian Garry Adelman leads “Generations” program participants in an activity in the field. Photo by Noel Kline.

Gettysburg 160: OnField and On-Screen To mark the 160th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg, Trust staff ventured into the field July 1-3, for the 7th rendition of “Gettysburg Live” — a series of videos that explore and give context to the battle from a variety of angles. Trekking across the battlefield, the Trust entertained with a plethora of video content shared across Facebook and YouTube. To add even more excitement, the crew was joined by special guests AND special artifacts brought onto the field. To view the series, be sure to check out the Trust’s YouTube channel. But even before Gettysburg 160 started, the Trust invited families, with their young history enthusiasts, to a “Generations” program at General Lee’s Headquarters. More than 120 participants embraced handson history and sparked an excitement for more educational programming to-come.