Help Preserve 417 Acres at Pamplin Park Forever
Less than three months left to secure one of the largest preservation campaigns in our history!
We are working urgently to preserve 417 acres at Pamplin Park — where the decisive Breakthrough at Petersburg changed the course of the war.
This hallowed ground holds rifle pits, entrenchments, and history written into the land itself. But we can’t save it without your help.
Join us today and make history by protecting this battlefield forever.
Donate Now to Save Pamplin Park
By making a gift today, you will help:
Protect 417 acres of core battlefield land from development to unite 857 acres of protected land
Safeguard the site of 27 Medals of Honor actions
Preserve two miles of pristine original trench lines and intact Civil War-era buildings
And thanks to matching funds, your gift today will be matched $17-to-$1.
Yes, I’ll Help Protect Pamplin
Thank you for helping preserve the past so it may inspire the future. We hope you'll stand with us in this important work.
With gratitude,
David N. Duncan
President
American Battlefield Trust
P.S. Donate $68 or more today and receive a hot-off-the-press copy of Dawn of Victory: Breakthrough at Petersburg, March 25—April 2, 1865 by Edward S. Alexander. Quantities are limited — don't wait!
Donate Now
CVBT Makes First US Colored Troops Preservation Save
by Terry Rensel
Posted on October 11, 2025
The Central Virginia Battlefields Trust (CVBT) recently announced its first United States Colored Troops (USCT) preservation effort as part of the fighting during the Spotsylvania Court House campaign.
The parcel, which is part of the action between the 23rd USCT and Thomas Rosser’s Confederate Cavalry, is being referred to as the 23rd USCT tract is 3 acres and is and is at the intersection of Old Plank and Catharpin Roads.
On May 15, 1864, the 2nd Ohio Cavalry was bivouacking near Piney Branch Church on Catharpin Road when they were rousted by a Confederate cavalry reconnaissance force under the command of Brig. Gen. Thomas Rosser. The Ohioans retreated north toward the Alrich Farm, located on the southwest corner of the intersection of Catharpin and Orange Plank Road.
The USCT troops were from the Fourth Division of the Union IX Corps under the command of Brig. Gen. Edward Ferrero and were guarding the wagon train near the Chancellorsville intersection. A courier brought news of the action between the 2nd Ohio and Rosser’s men, and Ferrero marched the 23rd USCT to support the Ohioans.
The 23rd approached the fighting and advanced in line of battle and fired into the Confederates, who soon withdrew. Unable to pursue to cavalrymen themselves, the 2nd Ohio did and soon reoccupied their bivouac site near Piney Branch Church.
Although the fighting at the Alrich Farm was a minor affair compared to other battles in central Virginia, it was the first time that the USCTs fought against the Army of Northern Virginia.
In addition to the important USCT connection to this property, it was also part of the action on May 1, 1863, the first day of fighting at Chancellorsville. Major General Henry Slocum’s XII Corps advance was halted here, prior to falling back towards Chancellorsville.
CVBT is currently raising $100,000 to preserve the land and to begin preparing the land for interpretation and public access. To learn more, visit CVBT’s website.
50 Acres Saved at Tom's Brook, Virginia!
TOM'S BROOK, Virginia — On the 161st anniversary of the Battle of Tom's Brook, the Battlefields Foundation is announcing the successful preservation of 50 acres at the battlefield, completing a dramatic effort to save a site once slated for residential development. This newly protected land was the scene of intense cavalry fighting between Lunsford Lomax’s Confederate horsemen and Wesley Merritt’s Federal Division in October 1864.
The $2.8 million property was under imminent threat, with approved plans for 122 homes, multiple streets, cul-de-sacs, and water retention ponds. But thanks to the generosity of the landowners—lifelong Valley residents who valued the region’s history—and a coalition of donors and partners, the Foundation was able to intervene just in time.
The landowners donated $700,000 of the property’s value and offered to finance the purchase. The project’s turning point came when Battlefields Foundation Board of Trustees member Al Boxley stepped forward with a significant contribution allowing the Foundation to move forward with the project.
The preservation effort was further bolstered by $1,433,458 from the American Battlefield Protection Program and $650,000 from the Virginia Battlefield Preservation Fund, which together provided the critical funding needed to complete the acquisition.
“This is a tremendous victory for all who care about the Shenandoah Valley, its history, and its future,” said Keven Walker, CEO of the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation. “We thought this land was lost. Now it will be protected forever.”
Jack Owens, the Battlefields Foundation's Land Preservation Projects Manager, added, “This project is a testament to what can happen when people come together to save something irreplaceable. The cavalrymen who fought here were willing to risk everything. Thanks to our supporters, this land will now stand as a lasting tribute to their sacrifice.”
“The Town of Toms Brook celebrates this news and supports the purchase by the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation,” said Mayor Lisa Currie. “Preserving the land in Shenandoah County from national developers should be a paramount concern for all residents,” Currie continued. “This purchase safeguards more than just the land from such development because the Battlefield's ownership protects the heritage of Shenandoah County—open spaces, green vistas, and natural countryside.” (For Mayor Lisa Currie’s full statement, see the end of the Press Release)
The 50-acres will be incorporated into the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation’s interpretation plans which create public access and understanding of the battlefield’s history.
The newly preserved parcel joins hundreds of other protected acres at Tom's Brook, expanding the Foundation’s efforts to protect, interpret, and share the Valley’s Civil War story with future generations.
Mayor Lisa Currie’s full Statement:
"The Town of Toms Brook celebrates this news and supports the purchase by the Shenandoah Valley Battlefield Foundation. Preserving the land in Shenandoah County from national developers should be a paramount concern for all residents, and this purchase safeguards more than just the land from such development because the Battlefield's ownership protects the heritage of Shenandoah County - open spaces, green vistas, unrestricted viewsheds, and natural countryside.
As part of the safeguards, this purchase defends more than the immediate Shenandoah County land that is adjacent to the Town of Toms Brook because this purchase prohibits residential growth within the county and around the town of Toms Brook that might affect the immediate water and sewer stability and longevity that is imperative to the residents of the Toms Brook/Maurertown Sanitary District.
In turn, this purchase promises economic networks within tourism's economic engine - financial benefits that provide support for county expenditures without costing county taxpayers because tourism does not require new extremely costly educational facilities, updated and mandated water and sewer facilities, required additional landfill sites, or other infrastructural costs.
In conclusion, residents who own large agricultural areas should consider land tax credits with the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation as a means to protect their agricultural acres for perpetuity and as a financial means in retirement because this option provides a permanence for the natural and historical spaces in our county.”
To become a Member or to join the Legacy Corps and support projects like this, visit our website.
American Battlefield Trust Declares Victory on Three Critical Properties
I write to you with exciting news about not one, not two, but three Civil War battlefields! I’m thrilled to announce that a critical tract of land has been saved at Peebles’ Farm as we mark the 161st anniversary of the battle, as well as crucial acreage at Corinth and Spotsylvania Court House. These properties, located on key parts of their respective battlefields, are in prime locations for interpretation, and would have been lost forever without your support. Now, future generations that visit this hallowed ground will be able to more fully experience the power of place, thanks to you.
Peebles’ Farm & The Breakthrough
On September 30, 1864, Col. John I. Curtin’s brigade advanced across this tract toward the R. H. Jones House, where they clashed with Confederate infantry under Gen. Henry Heth and cavalry under Gen. W. H. F. Lee. Confederate forces outflanked Union brigades, collapsing them into Curtin’s men in what he described as “a confused mass.” Though Union troops later rallied near the Peebles’ house, Confederates prevented them from seizing Boydton Plank Road and advancing toward the South Side Railroad. Union troops later rallied near the Peebles’ house, but the Confederates blocked their advance toward the Boydton Plank Road and the South Side Railroad. Even so, the Federals secured the ground they had gained and extended their siege lines southwestward from Peebles’ Farm.
On April 2, 1865, part of Gen. Joseph E. Hamblin’s brigade again crossed this parcel in the final push against Confederate defenders of Boydton Plank Road, supported by Battery H, 1st RI Light Artillery firing nearby.
Continued development has threatened to majorly limit and detract from the understanding of the battlefield, but this nearly two-acre tract, contiguous with land already saved by NPS, is now protected forever.
Siege of Corinth
More than two-and-a-half newly saved acres at Corinth directly played a role in the 1862 Siege of Corinth. Following the capture of Forts Henry and Donelson, along with Nashville, in early 1862, the Union high command in the west turned to its next objective: Corinth, Mississippi. There, the Confederacy’s only east-west rail line, the Memphis and Charleston intersected with the Mobile and Ohio that connected the Gulf Coast with the Southern interior. The town was a major piece of the Confederate logistical infrastructure.
On April 3, Confederate Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston marched out of Corinth to strike Gen. Ulysses S. Grant’s Union army at Pittsburg Landing. The two-day engagement that resulted, the Battle of Shiloh, witnessed the death of Johnston and the Confederate withdrawal to Corinth. Johnston’s replacement, Gen. P.G.T. Beauregard constructed entrenchments and awaited the Union advance. The Federals, now under Gen. Henry Halleck moved from Pittsburg Landing to capture Corinth.
During the ensuing siege, Confederates from the Reserve Corps under Gen. John C. Breckinridge occupied the tract. Unwilling to sustain a prolonged operation, Beauregard decided to abandon Corinth and began to evacuate on May 29.
The two-and-a-half acre tract is directly adjacent to land already saved by the National Park Service, further expanding the boundary of hallowed ground saved forever.
Battle of Spotsylvania Court House
After the Wilderness stalemate, Grant moved toward Spotsylvania Court House using the Brock Road. On May 8, 1864, Union forces advanced over this tract after fighting at Todd’s Tavern. Confederate cavalry under Gen. Fitzhugh Lee delayed the Federals before falling back, and Union infantry assaults against Laurel Hill were repulsed throughout the day. That evening, Col. Henry Brown’s New Jersey brigade also failed to break Gen. Richard H. Anderson’s line.
The next morning, Union VI Corps commander Gen. John Sedgwick was killed nearby, a turning point of the battle. On May 12, attacks by Col. Jacob Sweitzer and Gen. Romeyn Ayres crossed the tract to pin Confederates at Laurel Hill while fighting raged at the Mule Shoe, but they, too, failed. Union forces occupied the area until May 14, when Grant shifted operations east of Spotsylvania.
The two acres saved is a critical acquisition as residential developments threaten this historic land.
This hallowed ground would be lost forever without your support. Battlefield preservation is truly a team effort, and you have our sincerest thanks. Our victories are your victories.
‘Til the battle is won,
David N. Duncan, President
American Battlefield Trust
New Opportunity at Manassas, Bull Run, and Williamsburg
From Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson's stand to Winfield Scott Hancock's superb leadership, the battles of Manassas, Bull Run, and Williamsburg shaped the course of the Civil War.
Today, these hallowed grounds face an urgent threat of development — and developers are already moving their equipment into place.
Right now, we have an unprecedented opportunity to protect 27.5 acres of battlefield land forever.
These tracts are valued at over $5 million, but thanks to federal and state grants and a generous donor's $25,000 gift, we're nearly across the finish line.
To complete this effort, we need to raise just $155,295. And here's the extraordinary part: every gift is multiplied $34-to-$1.
That means:
$50 saves $1,700 worth of battlefield land.
$100 saves $3,400.
$500 saves $17,000.
An Urgent Chance to Save Hallowed Ground
Developers are already moving equipment onto the very fields where the Battles of Manassas, Bull Run, and Williamsburg once raged.
Williamsburg, photo by Brian Callan
But right now you can help lock 27.5 acres of this irreplaceable history into permanent protection.
Only $155,295 stands between bulldozers and victory.
Please join us to keep this sacred soil safe forever.
Protect These 27.5 Acres Today
Time is short. Developers are moving forward with plans for data centers, gas stations, and new housing on these sacred fields.
Please help defend this ground. Your gift today will be matched $34-to-$1 to preserve this history forever.
History was forged here. Let's make sure it endures.
With gratitude,
David N. Duncan, President
American Battlefield Trust
Preservation Victory at New Market
NEW MARKET, Virginia — The Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation has announced the preservation of two historically significant parcels at the New Market Battlefield, securing 6.8 acres of hallowed ground that played a vital role in the Battle of New Market on May 15, 1864. This acquisition marks the latest milestone in the Foundation’s efforts to protect and interpret Civil War battlefields throughout the Shenandoah Valley.
The two parcels are located about a mile apart, underscoring the size of the battlefield, which encompasses more than 4,000 acres. Parcel 1, situated on the north slope of Shirley’s Hill, was the site of Confederate General Gabriel Wharton’s initial assault and where the Virginia Military Institute Corps of Cadets suffered their first casualties. Parcel 2, located along the Valley Pike north of town, witnessed the charge of the 62nd and 22nd Virginia Infantry regiments against Union forces defending around the Rice house.
“These parcels are a part of an ongoing effort to preserve New Market’s historic battlefield landscapes and open as much battlefield land as possible to the public,” said Keven Walker, CEO of the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation.
The preservation of these parcels was made possible through a combination of generous contributions and strategic partnerships. The members of the Battlefields Foundation raised $63,000. Together, Mark and Karen Perreault of Norfolk, Virginia, and the Graves family of Luray, Virginia, owners of the Luray Caverns Corporation, donated $165,000, the American Battlefield Trust provided a grant of $180,000, and the Commonwealth of Virginia contributed another $290,000. These gifts secured the funds needed for the acquisition.
“This is a tremendous victory for all who care about the Shenandoah Valley, its history, and maintaining its sense of place,” said Jack Owens, the Battlefields Foundation’s Land Preservation Projects Manager.
Building on decades of stewardship by the Virginia Military Institute, the Battlefields Foundation has in recent years opened more than 100 acres of preserved land to the public, with another 50 acres to follow. Enhancements include trails, interpretive signage, historic fencing, cannons, a monument, brochures, a tour app, and a renovated visitor experience at the New Market Battlefield Visitor Center & Museum.
“Tens of thousands of visitors come to the Town of New Market every year because of its Civil War history,” Walker added, “making the preservation of these parcels more about the town’s future than its past.”
To become a Member or to join the Legacy Corps and support projects like this, visit our website.
Preservation Update at New Market Heights
Confederate earthworks at New Market Heights. Author Photo.
By Bert Dunkerly on September 22, 2025
An exciting project is underway to build a new trail near Richmond, Virginia. This new path will connect the Virginia Capital Trail (which runs from Richmond to Jamestown) with Deep Bottom Park, a boat landing along the James River.
The new trail will run directly through two battle sites: Second Deep Bottom (August 14, 1864) and New Market Heights (September 27, 1864). Currently there is no public access to these sites, and the trail will be the first opportunity for the public to view the ground.
In August, 1864, the siege of Petersburg was underway. General U.S. Grant planned to send the Federal II and X corps across the James River in an attempt to strike at Richmond. This was part of Grant's strategy to keep Gen. Robert E. Lee's forces off balance, shifting men north of the river and back again to keep the Confederates guessing.
The United States troops broke through Confederate defenders north of the Deep Bottom Landing, but the larger effort failed to make progress, and the troops were withdrawn.
On September 29, 1864, the Federals launched a two-prong attack here, with one wing attacking the Confederate line at New Market Heights, and another striking Fort Harrison. Both attacks were successful, but lost their momentum by the afternoon. New Market Heights was fought largely by United States Colored Troops, and fourteen of them were awarded the Medal of Honor, the highest number for any single battle in the war.
A team from Henrico County, the American Battlefield Trust, the Capital Region Land Conservancy, the Battle of New Market Heights Memorial and Education Association, the Richmond Battlefields Association, and the National Park Service are working to design the trail and plan historic markers along the route.
For more information, see the project website:
Another Legal Victory in Struggle Against Data Centers on Battlefields!
It’s another legal victory for the American Battlefield Trust and the greater preservation community! The lawsuit challenging the sprawling Wilderness Crossing mega-development at the gateway to the Wilderness Battlefield is officially proceeding to trial.
In a 17-page letter opinion issued Tuesday afternoon, Circuit Court Judge David B. Franzén rejected the attempts by Orange County and the developers of the Wilderness Crossing project to throw out the case. Of the seven counts filed by the Trust and its partners, the judge dismissed three but allowed four to proceed. The remaining counts challenge the rezoning as having been approved in violation of Virginia law governing rezoning processes, public hearings and the equal taxation of land.
As with any preservation success, this was a true team effort, with the Central Virginia Battlefields Trust and Friends of Wilderness Battlefield, alongside local landowners, joining us in the suit as plaintiffs. In addition, our partners in the Wilderness Battlefield Coalition, the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks, the National Parks Conservation Association, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and the Piedmont Environmental Council, filed amicus curiae briefs in support of the legal challenge.
It's a ruling that we’ve eagerly awaited, stemming from a motions hearing held in March. The voluminous rezoning record and multiple rounds of briefings following the hearing necessitated extended study by Judge Franzén and we are grateful for the attention he paid to this complex matter.
The news is especially invigorating coming on the heels of last month’s ruling in favor of the Oak Valley Homeowner’s Association lawsuit against the Prince William Digital Gateway (PWDG), which voided that rezoning for some of the same arguments we are making in regard to Wilderness Crossing. Although Prince William County and data center companies are appealing that ruling and our own appeal in that suit continues, these back-to-back outcomes are extremely positive and demonstrate the value of fighting to protect our history.
And so we fight on, buoyed by the knowledge that you, the Trust’s members, stand stalwartly behind us in taking a stand for these historic battlefields and holding decisionmakers accountable for failing to consider the impact of development on our national treasures.
Cordially,
Jim Campi
Chief Policy and Communications Officer
American Battlefield Trust
Blue & Gray Education Society Completes Campaign at Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site.
Every battlefield has a story to tell—and true to those words, I am pleased to announce that the Blue & Gray Education Society has successfully completed our fundraising campaign at Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site. Thanks to the generosity of individuals and organizations that answered the call, 55 brand-new interpretive panels, featuring updated graphics, will now tell the story of this significant battle. I look forward to seeing the results during Lee White’s “Fall 1862 Kentucky Tour” (September 30–October 4, 2026).
Speaking of 2026 tours, our schedule is now posted on the website, featuring a variety of Civil War and Revolutionary War programs led by some of the nation’s foremost historians. Our goal is to have all 1st Quarter 2026 tours open for registration by the end of this month. I hope to see you on the battlefield.
I am pleased to announce, after discussions with Eric A. Jacobson, Chief Executive Officer of the Battle of Franklin Trust, that Blue & Gray—together with the Tennessee Civil War National Heritage Area—will help fund 23 new interpretive panels at Franklin and Spring Hill battlefields in Tennessee (15 at Spring Hill and 8 at Franklin). Our share of the project is $15,000, and we are already off to a strong start with a generous $1,000 gift. By mid-September, we’ll have a fundraising link available for contributions. In the meantime, please contact me directly if you’d like to give right away.
I encourage you to spread the word to like-minded organizations. I’m calling on Civil War Round Tables, as well as Sons of Confederate and Union Veterans camps, to support this important effort. Every $50 or $100 donation makes a real difference in telling the story of the men who fought at these two key Tennessee battlefields.
On another note, I’m excited to share our Blue & Gray Education Society YouTube Channel—your home for engaging, accessible explorations of America’s past. Our content ranges from quick facts to in-depth lectures, designed for history enthusiasts of all levels. Every view, like, and subscription helps us reach more Civil War buffs and lifelong learners around the world. Subscribe today and join us in uncovering the battles, leaders, and everyday lives that shaped our nation.
Finally, a heartfelt thank you to our new and renewing members since my last update. Your support enables us to do this important work. If you have not yet joined or renewed, I encourage you to visit our website and make the commitment today. Remember, every battlefield has a story to tell, and sharing those stories is at the heart of the Blue & Gray Education Society.
As always, thank you to the generous members and volunteers who make our success possible. I couldn’t do this without you.
Feel free to reach me at (434) 770-7325 or via email at BgesExDir@gmail.com.
Wade Sokolosky
Executive Director, BGES
Preservation Victory at Cross Keys, Virginia
CROSS KEYS, Virginia — The Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation has preserved the historic Union Church site at Cross Keys Battlefield, securing a two-acre parcel of hallowed ground that played a key role in the beginning of the Battle of Cross Keys on June 8, 1862. This purchase adds to the Foundation’s ongoing efforts to protect and interpret battlefields and related sites throughout the Shenandoah Valley.
Located southeast of Harrisonburg, VA, near the intersection of Battlefield Road and Keezletown Road, the Union Church site is adjacent to the recently preserved 98-acre Webb Farm and has long been considered the place where the battle began. On the eve of the battle, soldiers of the 15th Alabama Infantry took shelter in and around the church and cemetery, covering the main approach from Harrisonburg. Their early morning fight with Union forces marked some of the opening shots of the battle.
The preservation of the property was made possible through a generous bequest from Ms. Marlys Armentrout, a devoted supporter of battlefield preservation. Her legacy gift enabled the Foundation to work with the owners of Union Church, the Cross Keys–Mill Creek Ruritan Club, which has cared for the site for decades, to ensure its permanent protection.
“We are honored to preserve this sacred ground,” said Keven Walker, CEO of the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation. “Thanks to Ms. Armentrout’s generosity and the stewardship of the Ruritan Club, we can now ensure that future generations will be able to visit and learn from this historically significant site.”
Jon Oliver, President of the Cross Keys–Mill Creek Ruritan Club, emphasized the importance of the preservation effort: “By this action, the property is now preserved for the community in perpetuity. It will not be changed or destroyed.” He added, “This enables the Ruritan to do more of the same work we do every day, with other community groups, which makes the community a better place to live.”
The Union Church site will be incorporated into the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Tourism Infrastructure Plan, which includes walking trails, interpretive signage, and wayfinding improvements. New signage has already been installed at the Union Church property as part of this plan, helping visitors understand the site’s historical significance, which ties into additional signage at four other sites across the battlefield that are now open to the public.
Since 2001, the Foundation has preserved more than 7,600 acres at 16 battlefields throughout the Shenandoah Valley, including more than 1,900 acres in Rockingham County. The preservation of the Union Church site represents another step forward in protecting the Valley’s irreplaceable historic landscapes.
Another Major Victory in Prince William Digital Gateway Fight!
Preservation battles are often long and difficult – and can be focused on process and procedure as much as historic significance. That’s why, when persistence and patience pay off, the victory is all the more meaningful.
Opponents of the effort to build what would be the world’s largest data center complex, located on part of the historic Second Manassas Battlefield, scored a major victory on August 7. Circuit Court Judge Kimberly Irving ruled in favor of the Oak Valley Homeowners Association’s claims that a lame-duck Board of Supervisors in Prince William County improperly approved the rezoning for the Prince William Digital Gateway.
This ruling was on a separate lawsuit proceeding in parallel to one filed by the American Battlefield Trust and other preservation advocates. However, it focused on many of the same issues we are prepared to argue before the Virginia Court of Appeals, lending strength to our case. And a one-two punch from multiple levels of the legal system would be doubly devastating to the deep-pocketed data center companies we are fighting.
It’s also important to remember that, even if the ruling stands, it does not ultimately prevent all data center construction. Instead, it voids the 2023 rezoning vote and requires the developers to begin the process again. However, since community outrage over this development proposal and its approval process was so high, significant turnover on the Board of Supervisors may yield a more preservation-friendly outcome. With local advocates better mobilized and voters more educated about the far-reaching and cumulative impacts of data centers, backroom dealing and clandestine processes will not stand.
We are deeply grateful to the Coalition to Protect Prince William County and other nonprofit partners for their support of our legal challenge, as well as the Oak Valley Homeowners Association for undertaking their own legal opposition to this improper rezoning. The ability to have both cases considered independently has proven to be a true blessing, and Oak Valley’s courageous stand is symbolic of the Trust’s philosophy that we are always stronger working together in meaningful coalitions with members who approach the threat with their own unique expertise and angle.
Please ensure you are following the Trust on social media and subscribed to our Action Alert emails to always have the latest updates on this and other preservation battles.
Sincerely,
Jim Campi
Chief Policy and Communications Officer
American Battlefield Trust
P.S. Help us continue the struggle against the Prince William Digital Gateway and other threats to our historic battlefields. Your gift today will help us save these national treasures from the backhoe and bulldozer.
Help save 74 acres of American history
Across America, the very places where our Revolutionary War, War of 1812, and Civil War soldiers fought for our nation are disappearing.
Right now, 74 acres at three historic battlefields in Arkansas and Virginia are at risk of being lost forever to development. But if we act quickly, we can protect them permanently.
Here's what's currently at stake:
Pea Ridge, Arkansas – 3 acres
This will be our first preservation here, right next to Pea Ridge National Military Park. In March 1862, Union forces secured a critical victory that helped keep Missouri in the Union. Without protection, this tract could be lost to large-scale home construction.Deep Bottom, Virginia – nearly 6 acres
Just 600 feet from surviving Civil War fortifications, this land saw six Union brigades surge forward in August 1864, two of them under heavy fire. Confederate counterattacks pushed them back across this very ground — land now targeted for development.Saltville, Virginia – 65 acres
The site of two Civil War battles, Saltville was home to the South’s most important saltworks — essential to preserving food for the Confederate army. On October 2, 1864, the 5th U.S. Colored Cavalry fought uphill under a “terrific fire” to capture enemy rifle pits. This history remains on the landscape — but not for long if developers get their way.
Once this land is developed, its history will be lost forever.
From the slopes where the 5th U.S. Colored Cavalry charged under fire, to the fields where Union brigades fought at Deep Bottom, to the ridgeline of Pea Ridge — these hallowed places must be preserved.
In total, this is four tracts at three battlefields in two states — irreplaceable pieces of our nation’s story. We need to raise the final $245,500 to secure them forever.
Once bulldozers arrive, this hallowed ground will be gone forever. Please help us protect it now.
With gratitude,
David N. Duncan, President
American Battlefield Trust
Help Preserve the 3rd Massachusetts Light Artillery Tract at Spotsylvania
We're Almost 40% Towards Our Goal!
In May, we announced our latest preservation effort, the 3rd Massachusetts Light Artillery tract at Spotsylvania.
This 7.2-acre parcel is one of the last undeveloped parcels along Brock Road just outside of the Spotsylvania Battlefield Park boundary. It contains over a dozen artillery lunettes.
Through the generosity of the preservation-minded landowner, we have the rare opportunity to obtain these seven acres at a greatly reduced cost, thus resulting in a one-to-one match on the land’s appraised value. Yet even at its lowered price, with additional fees associated with its acquisition such as appraisals, surveying, and closing costs, CVBT needs your help to make sure this battlefield land remains undeveloped and looks much like it did 160 years ago.
There are several key reasons to make sure these pristine acres are saved forever. First, in doing so it will maintain the current rural condition of this historic greenspace. Second, and as mentioned above, preserving the extensive artillery lunette cultural resources on this ground highlights its importance during the fighting at Spotsylvania. Third, saving the 3rd Massachusetts Light Artillery tract helps add another piece to those tracts already saved by CVBT, the American Battlefield Trust, and the National Park Service in this immediate area, which in turn advances the process of eventually connecting them all. Additionally, this is one of the last tracts along this section of Brock Road without a modern structure on it. No demolition is needed, which would otherwise add to the expense of returning this ground to its wartime appearance. Lastly, when purchased, interpreted, and opened, this land will be an invaluable resource for Civil War enthusiasts, as well as the general public, to learn about our nation's shared past and to enjoy its surrounding nature.
We are well on our way to meeting our fundraising goal and preserving this land forever. To learn more about this historic piece of ground, and how you can join with us in protecting it, click here.
NEWS FLASH - Judge Halts Data Center Near Manassas
ABT image
By Chris Mackowski on August 8, 2025
A judge in Prince William County, Virginia, has voided a county rezoning plan that would have paved the way for a series of massive data centers on the edge of Manassas National Battlefield Park.
Prince William County Circuit Court Judge Kimberly Irving's ruling on Thursday came following a trial back in June. The suit was filed by the Oak Valley Homeowners’ Association and several local residents who live near the proposed site of the data centers.
Blake Myers, who heads the Bull Run Civil War Roundtable's preservation committee, joined ECW to explain the lawsuit and the impact of the judge's ruling.
YouTube discussion: https://youtu.be/GQ1hB_QgqP0
The American Battlefield Trust has more information about the preservation effort to protect the Manassas battlefield from data centers.
$2.8 Million Gift for Restoration Work at Vicksburg
By Terry Rensel on August 9, 2025
The Friends of the Vicksburg National Military Park & Campaign recently announced a $ 2.8-million gift to restore the battlefield.
The gift, from preservationist, and founding board member John Nau III, will be matched by a $2.5-million grant from the National Park Service’s Centennial Challenge program for restoration work on the Vicksburg battlefield.
The focus of the project will be the restoration of the Illinois Memorial, the most visited monument in the park, as well as the removal of a post-war building that was built on the battlefield.
“Standing on restored battlefield ground gives visitors a chance to truly understand the story of Vicksburg— not just read about it, but feel it,” said Bess Averett, executive director of the Friends of Vicksburg National Military Park. “Thanks to the generosity of our donor, John Nau III, and the partnership of the National Park Service, we are reclaiming this hallowed ground and restoring one of the most significant monuments in the country."
The structure that is being removed was once a visitor center, as well as having served as staff housing. Over a century of exposure to the weather has led to extensive deterioration of the Illinois Monument. Work is expected to take a year, and the monument will be closed to the public while the work is completed. The demolition work on the post-war building has already begun.
To learn more about this and all the work that the Friends of Vicksburg National Military Park & Campaign, click here.
UPDATED - Help Secure Preservation Victory in West Virginia
Friends,
I’m thrilled to present another preservation opportunity: for just $33,000, we can preserve more than 23 acres of battlefield that is some of the most threatened in the Valley, if not the nation!
Today, the Hoke’s Run Battlefield is one of the least known and most threatened battlefields in the entire Valley. But, thanks to the generosity of a long-term resident and the vision of Berkeley County officials, you and I can save two separate parcels totaling more than 23 acres! These 23 acres figured prominently into the battle action and if you take a look at the map that I’ve included you will see that every one of these acres must be preserved – especially on a battlefield that is now almost totally lost to development.
With pressures increasing throughout the Valley including in West Virginia, the Berkeley County officials led by County Commissioner Steve Catlett reached out to us and asked if we would consider partnering with them to help preserve battlefield land at Hoke’s Run and Falling Waters. We immediately responded to the call and began working with them to put a strategy in place, prioritize possible target properties, and approach landowners. At the same time, we started discussing a large scale interpretation and tourism reboot for the County’s Civil War sites, and somewhere during those discussions we were looking at maps and aerial images and it was mentioned that a key parcel that was under development was actually being developed by the County and the School District as a community park. The land had been gifted to the School Board to be used as a future school site and in the meantime, officials had decided to construct a recreational park on the site with the possibility of pickleball courts, a community pool, practice fields, etc.
Donate to Save 23 Acres at Hoke's Run!
Right then and there, we made the ask. How about selling us that parcel and partnering to turn it into a different kind of a park – a Battlefield Park! The folks in Berkeley County are extremely visionary and great to work with – they listened to the pitch and jumped in right away honing the idea, and within an hour we were off to the races on a framework for the deal. The County agreed to sell us the 10-acre site for 50% of the value and jointly manage the park site in perpetuity. We’ll be responsible for capital improvements and interpretation infrastructure and the County will be responsible for park maintenance and upkeep. It is an amazing deal and creates the County’s first battlefield park and our first preservation victory in West Virginia!
Within weeks, the partnership was announced and community reaction was extremely positive. So positive, in fact, that a property owner near the new park site reached out to say that he wanted to preserve his 13-acre property nearby. When we looked at the maps to locate his parcel, we were thrilled. His property was immediately adjacent to the 36 acres preserved by the Farmland Protection Board and right in the middle of the core area of the battlefield!
Here’s what we need to come up with to get this done: We are expecting a $500,000 final purchase price for the County parcel. And we know we need the $50,000 for the Ressler easement, giving us an acquisition number of $550,000. We need to add to that an additional $33,000 to pay for our surveys, appraisals, a baseline documentation report, environmental site assessments, attorneys’ fees, and closing costs. That’s a total of $583,000.
We are applying to the National Park Service’s American Battlefield Protection Program for $500,000, leaving you and I to raise the remaining $83,000. To date, we've raised $50,000 and are just $33,000 away from our goal! That’s it! If we can come together and raise $33,000, we can preserve 23 acres at Hoke’s Run – the first battle fought in the Shenandoah Valley! We can achieve our first preservation victory in West Virginia!
For just $33,000, we can win this fight at Hoke's Run!
See you at the Front,
Keven Walker, Chief Executive Officer
Shenandoah Valley Battlefields
ABT Continues “Reclaiming” Franklin Battlefield with Latest Victory
When we celebrated our 60,000th acre saved last month, I told you our work was far from over. Much of our nation’s hallowed ground remains threatened by development, which is why today’s announcement brings me appreciation and inspiration to continue our fight.
Thanks to your generosity and support, we’re declaring victory on two crucial properties totaling one and a half acres on the Franklin Battlefield. A small parcel of land, yes. But also a critical one: this was the “warehouse tract” surrounded by land that the Trust and its partners have protected piece by piece over the years. Now, Franklin’s Charge will own, steward and restore this land to augment and unify the site.
As with other expensive Franklin projects, this work would not have been possible without the availability of matching grants from the federal American Battlefield Protection Program and the Tennessee Civil War Sites Preservation Fund (TCWSPF), administered by the Tennessee Wars Commission, a division of the Tennessee Historical Commission, State Historic Preservation Office, as well as support from local preservation groups and local government investment.
Less than 20 years ago, the Franklin battlefield was almost entirely swallowed by development. An article in National Geographic showed the world neon Pizza Hut signs looming over its monuments to demonstrate the plight of America’s historic battlefields. How things have changed! Today, Franklin is a major Nashville suburb with a thriving downtown that’s embraced its historic past. All this happening in parallel to the Trust and its partners preserving nearly 200 acres to better tell the heart-wrenching story of this battle.
Franklin was once considered to be among the most threatened Civil War battlefields in America, but incredible preservation efforts in recent decades have saved and restored a significant portion of the battlefield. Thanks to your support, this land will be acquired by Franklin’s Charge to be interpreted for generations to come.
The Battle of Franklin
On November 30, 1864, Confederate Gen. John Bell Hood, determined to defeat Union Maj. Gen. John M. Schofield’s Army of the Ohio before they could reach Union reinforcements Nashville, launched a massive frontal assault of around 20,000 men across open ground in Franklin.
From late afternoon into dusk, Confederate troops stormed the Union breastworks but were met with devastating artillery and musket fire. The attack resulted in more than 8,500 casualties, nearly 75 percent of them Confederate. The six Southern generals killed, with many more wounded or captured, made it greatest loss of such senior officers in any Civil War battle. As the fighting slowed, Schofield was able to withdraw and reach Nashville, setting the stage for Hood’s final defeat at the subsequent Battle of Nashville, effectively ending the war in Tennessee.
The newly saved tracts are located just a few hundred feet south of the historic Carter House in Franklin and saw heavy casualties during the fighting. Scores of Confederate soldiers were killed or wounded on the property, and dozens of soldiers were buried there, before being exhumed and moved to the McGavock Confederate Cemetery.
This hallowed ground would be lost forever without your support. Battlefield preservation is truly a team effort, and you have our sincerest thanks. Our victories are your victories.
‘Til the battle is won,
David N. Duncan
President
American Battlefield Trust
A rare chance to protect hallowed ground in Virginia
A rare opportunity has emerged to permanently protect 417 acres of crucial battlefield land at Pamplin Historical Park in Virginia — a site with direct ties to the final days of the Civil War and the fall of Petersburg in April 1865.
This land witnessed The Breakthrough at Petersburg, when Union soldiers launched a decisive assault that ultimately led to the Confederate retreat, the evacuation of Richmond, and the surrender at Appomattox just days later.
Pamplin Historical Park is a privately owned historic site and museum, home to some of the best-preserved Civil War features in the nation — including original rifle pits, entrenchments, and historic roadbeds. It's a place where history lives in the very contours of the land.
Now, we have a chance to expand the protection around this nationally important site — but we can’t do it without your help.
LEARN MORE & DONATE NOW
With $660,000 needed to preserve these 417 acres, we’re turning to dedicated supporters like you who understand the importance of safeguarding our shared history.
And thanks to matching fund commitments, your gift today can go even further to make this preservation effort a reality. Some key facts:
417 acres of core battlefield, critical to the final days of the war
Adjacent to our already-preserved land at The Breakthrough, creating an 857-acre unified park
Witnessed 27 Medal of Honor citations – plus four more on existing Trust property
Prompts the creation of The Breakthrough Battlefield Foundation to continue management of the National Museum of the Civil War Soldier
Please, stand with us today and make your most generous gift to help save this irreplaceable site.
Yes, I'll Help Protect Pamplin
Thank you for your commitment to remembering the past and preserving it for the future.
With gratitude,
David N. Duncan, President
American Battlefield Trust
Saving History at Pamplin Park
Trust will acquire and conserve the 417-acre Pamplin Park campus and its historic features, and allow for the continued, long-term operation of the popular museum and living history classroom
Mary Koik or Jim Campi (202) 367-1861, Option 3 or news@battlefields.org
Amanda Jones, AJones@pamplinpark.org
July 16, 2025
(Petersburg, Va.) — The American Battlefield Trust is embarking on one of the largest preservation projects in its history, a national fundraising campaign that will result in an 857-acre protected swath of land associated with one of the Civil War’s most significant battlefields. The 417 acres currently owned by Pamplin Historical Park and Museum of the Civil War Soldier have been enjoyed and appreciated for decades by heritage tourists and countless school students, but until now has not been fully protected for future generations.
The Trust has agreed to acquire the property for $11 million. Thanks to anticipated matching grant funding from the federal American Battlefield Protection Program, which has helped protect approximately 35,000 acres of hallowed ground across 20 states, and a major landowner donation, the Trust is seeking to raise $660,000 by year-end to complete the transaction. Learn more at www.battlefields.org/breakthrough.
“There is no denying that this is an ambitious undertaking,” said American Battlefield Trust President David Duncan, “We begin the endeavor with the conviction that our members will rise to the occasion and the certainty that future generations will be enriched by the permanent protection of this incredible landscape.”
“This process will not only secure the battlefield for all time, but proceeds from the sale will create an investment fund that will finance the new Breakthrough Battlefield Foundation and enable Pamplin to continue operations in perpetuity,” said Colin Romanick, executive director of Pamplin Historical Park & The National Museum of the Civil War Soldier.
Following a nine-month siege, the Union Army of the Potomac launched a massive assault on the Southern defenses southwest of Petersburg, Va., on April 2, 1865, an attack remembered by history as “The Breakthrough” for breaking those lines clearing the road to the Confederate capital at Richmond. Within weeks, the Civil War was over.
Through a series of transactions over the course of 30 years, the Trust has acquired 439 acres associated with the Union advance and gradually restored them to their wartime appearance by removing modern buildings and other intrusions. Meanwhile, the contiguous Pamplin campus occupies a significant section of the Confederate line and includes two miles of pristine earthworks. Acquisition by the Trust and establishment of a long-term agreement with the newly formed Breakthrough Battlefield Foundation will play to both entities’ strengths: historic landscape preservation and immersive educational experiences, respectively. It will also create improved interpretive and recreational opportunities by unifying trail systems.
The campus was assembled in phases through purchases made by businessman and philanthropist Dr. Robert B. Pamplin, Jr., beginning in the early 1990s when the Association for the Preservation of Civil War Sites, a predecessor of the American Battlefield Trust, alerted him of a development threat to land once owned by his family. Pamplin went on to acquire adjacent parcels, including Tudor Hall, the plantation home of his ancestors, and Banks House, Ulysses S. Grant’s headquarters on April 2-3, 1865. The 25,000 square-foot National Museum of the Civil War Soldier opened on Memorial Day 1999 and the park was named a National Historic Landmark in 2006.
“I'm absolutely delighted that the Trust and Pamplin Historical Park have combined to ensure that this important educational facility will be preserved forever and continue to inspire tens of thousands of visitors each year,” said A. Wilson Greene, a founder of the Trust’s predecessor organization who went on to serve as the executive director of Pamplin Park from its opening until his retirement in 2017.
Captain Charles G. Gould of the 5th Vermont Veteran Volunteers leads his men into the earthworks defended by the 37th North Carolina at Petersburg on April 2, 1865. Don Troiani
Fighting at The Breakthrough was intense — sometimes hand-to-hand — and climactic, resulting in perhaps the greatest concentration of Medals of Honor ever awarded. Researchers at the Congressional Medal of Honor Society believe that 31 Medal citation actions occurred across the now-combined site, which also witnessed subsequent assaults on Fort Gregg and Fort Whitworth and further medals.
“This battlefield is where courage met consequence,” said Congressional Medal of Honor Society President Britt Slabinski, who received the Medal during the Global War on Terrorism, Afghanistan. “The men who fought here embodied duty: in the dirt, under fire, when everything was on the line. This ground speaks plainly about what courage truly looks like. By preserving it, we give future generations the chance to stand where they stood, carry the weight they bore, and grasp the true cost of service. This is how we honor them — not just with words, but by protecting the very place where their legacy was forged.”
To learn more about the fighting at the Breakthrough or make a gift to this remarkable opportunity to ensure this hallowed ground is protected forever, visit www.battlefields.org/breakthrough.