There are days when the course of history shifts — moments so profound they echo through generations.
July 4, 1863, was one of those days.
That day marked the Union victory at Vicksburg, the final blow in a relentless campaign to control the Mississippi River. That same day, the Confederates retreated from Gettysburg, ending Robert E. Lee’s advance into the North.
Two victories.
Two campaigns.
One turning point in the American Civil War.
Today, we are facing a turning point of our own — one that echoes the weight of that moment 162 years ago. We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to save 1,099 acres of critical battlefield land:
1,006 acres at Chickasaw Bayou, where Gen. William T. Sherman’s early Vicksburg efforts were repelled,
84 acres tied to the Gettysburg Campaign, including land at South Cavalry Field, and
9 acres at Brandy Station, the site of the largest cavalry battle in American history.
And here’s the incredible part: Your gift today will be matched $26-to-$1.
Your $50 donation becomes $1,350
And every dollar brings us closer to saving our 60,000th acre — a significant milestone in honoring our nation's past.
When I think of what we’re preserving, it’s more than land.
It’s the stories of soldiers who fought and fell, families forever changed, and the unshakable ideals of liberty, sacrifice, and perseverance.
You can walk this ground and feel their presence. You can see where the course of American history was shaped.
But these sacred acres are not yet safe. Some are under threat from development. Others have waited over a century for the recognition they deserve. Time is not on our side.
Together, we’ve saved fields where Pickett charged, where Lincoln spoke, and where the fate of the Union was decided. Now, with your help, we can save even more.
Make your gift today — and be part of this turning point in preservation.
Thank you for standing with us — and with history.
David N. Duncan, President
American Battlefield Trust
P.S. When the American Battlefield Trust was founded, saving 60,000 acres felt nearly impossible. Today, we are on the cusp — thanks to supporters like you. Will you help us reach this landmark moment? Your gift will be matched $26-to-$1, but only for a limited time.