Across the country, the ground where history was made is disappearing at alarming rates. Quietly. Permanently. And often before anyone realizes what has been lost.
Today, 141 acres of hallowed Civil War land at Wilson’s Creek, Shiloh, and Bentonville are at risk of being swallowed by development. These are not symbolic places — they are real landscapes where the course of the war turned, where commanders fell, and where soldiers fought and died.
If this land is lost, it could be lost forever.
We have a rare and powerful opportunity to protect 141 acres — land spanning three different years of the war and three pivotal moments in the Western Theater. Together, these sites tell a story of chaos, courage, sacrifice, and change that cannot be fully understood from books alone.
What makes this moment extraordinary is how close we are to success: the total value of the land exceeds $3.2 million, but thanks to state and federal grants and committed preservation partners, only $170,500 remains to be raised. Even more remarkable: every dollar you give is matched $19 to $1, multiplying your impact far beyond a single gift.
That means a contribution today doesn’t just help — it moves the needle. It turns urgency into action and ensures we can act before developers do.
This Western Theater land includes:
Ground at Wilson’s Creek, where Union General Nathaniel Lyon became the first Union general killed in battle.
Land at Shiloh, where the sudden death of Confederate General Albert Sidney Johnston changed the course of a fierce fight.
A critical area at Bentonville, where the Confederacy made its final major stand in the Western Theater just weeks before the war ended.
Our battle today is not against armies, but against time and development pressure. With your help, we can ensure these fields remain places of learning, remembrance, and honor — not developed.
Please consider making a gift today. With the match in place and the finish line so close, your support can help secure every remaining acre.
'Til the battle is won,
David N. Duncan, President
American Battlefield Trust
P.S. Once land like this is lost to developers, it can be nearly impossible to reclaim. But if we act now, we can protect these acres and ensure these stories remain teachable.