On
Feb. 24, the Civil War Preservation Trust (CWPT), the nation's
largest non-profit battlefield preservation organization,
announced the 2004 America's Most Endangered Battlefields
Report. The report was released during a news conference in the
Frank Holeman Lounge of the National Press Club in Washington,
DC.
The
report identifies the 10 most endangered battlefields in the
nation and a brief description of their history and preservation
status. The report also includes a list of 15 additional
"at risk" sites.
"The most effective preservation tool in our arsenal is
public awareness," said CWPT President James Lightizer.
'The Most Endangered Battlefields Report' is a rallying cry to
the nation that our hallowed battlefields are in imminent
danger."
Each of the battlefields were prioritized according to their
significance, state and preservation. Battlefields are ranked
from Priority I (sites considered more threatened) to Priority
IV ( sites considered lost). They were also ranked from A (most
significant) to D (sites of local importance).
The 10 most endangered battlefields (in alphabetical order)
Chancellorsville, Virginia.
The battle of Chancellorsville is recognized as Gen. Robert E.
Lee's greatest victory. The team of Lee and Gen. Thomas J.
"Stonewall" Jackson thwarted flanking movements by
Gen.
Joseph "Fighting Joe" Hooker. Unfortunately, Jackson
was accidentally shot and mortally wounded by his own troops.
The fight to preserve this battlefield has been ongoing for
nearly two years. In March 2003, a plan to build a 2,000 house
"artificial city" on the battlefield was unanimously
defeated. In January 2004, plans to build a bypass through the
battlefield was also defeated.
Chancellorsvile is ranked Priority I, Class A.
Fort Donelson, Tennessee
Considered to be one of the most decisive battles of the war.
Gen. Ulysses S. Grant tore the Confederate defense line in the
west which resulted in the fort being surrendered by Confederate
Gen. Simon B. Buckner.
Less than a quarter of the battlefield is protected by the
National Park Service. Most of the battlefield east and west of
the park remains in private hands, including nearly the entire
Union siege line, where most of the Federal casualties occurred.
Fort Donelson is a Priority I, Class A battlefield.
Franklin, Tennessee
During the Battle of Franklin fought November 30, 1864,
Confederates under the orders of Gen. John Bell Hood briefly
penetrated the nearly impregnable Federal line, but were quickly
defeated. More than 6,000 soldiers died.
In recent years, attempts to save portions of the battlefield
have all been rejected by local government.
Franklin is a Priority IV, Class D site.
Glendale, Virginia
The battle of Glendale occurred during the fifth day of the 1862
Seven Days Campaign. Of the more than 60,000 men engaged in the
fighting, there were at least 6,500 casualties.
Only a fraction of the 7,800-acre Glendale battlefield is
preserved as part of Richmond National Battlefield Park.
The centerpiece of the battlefield, Glendale National Cemetery,
remains unprotected. Groundbreaking has begun on a 107-acre
development north and east of the cemetery.
Glendale is classified as a Priority I, Class B battlefield.
"The Hell Hole," Georgia
During the spring of 1864, Confederates under Gen. Joseph E.
Johnston attempted to half Federal advances at Pickett's Mill,
New Hope Church and Dallas. A week of sustained fighting cost
the two armies nearly 5,000 men.
Today, the Hell Hole battlefields are located in one of the
fastest growing regions in the nation. Trenches near Pickett's
Mill have been obliterated and commercial developments are
planned at New Hope and a residential development near Dallas. A
substantial portion of the Pickett's Mill battlefield is
preserved as a state historic site, but only small portions of
New Hope Church and Dallas are protected from development.
New Hope Church is a Priority II site; Pickett's Mill is a
Priority III site and Dallas is a Priority IV site.
Mansfield, Louisiana
Mansfield was one of the key battles in the two-month campaign
for control of the Red River Valley. Nearly a quarter of the
troops who fought at Mansfield became casualties. It was one of
the final Rebel victories of the Civil War.
Only 12 percent of Mansfield is protected from development.
The most severe threat to Mansfield is a lignite mining
operation. Large parts of the battlefield have already been
destroyed and the Dolet Hills Mining Company is seeking a permit
to mine on 58 additional acres. Thus far, the utility firm has
been unwilling to negotiate with preservationists.
Mansfield is ranked Priority II, Class A.
Morris Island, South Carolina
Morris Island near Fort Sumter was the scene of some of the most
intense fighting during the siege of Charleston. The fighting on
Morris Island is best remembered because of the valiant charge
of the 54th Massachusetts regiment against Fort Wagner, an event
immortalized in the 1990 film "Glory."
More than a century of beach erosion has dramatically changed
the contours of Morris Island. Many of the earthworks built by
the armies have gradually succumbed to the sea. The remains of
Fort Wagner may soon be lost to development. On Feb. 12, plans
were announced for the construction of 20 luxury mansions on a
62-acre development on the battlefield.
Morris Island is classified as a Priority IV, Class B
battlefield.
New Bern, North Carolina
In mid-March 1862, this was the site of one of the most
important battles fought in North Carolina. The strategic port
and railroad city fell to the Federals, who occupied this second
largest town in North Carolina for the rest of the war.
Much of the New Bern Battlefield is surrounded by the Croatan
National Forest. Only 26.63 acres are protected from development
by the New Bern Historical Society.
Commercial development is moving southward along U.S. Route 70
and earthworks east of the highway remain unprotected.
The lack of interpretive markers make it nearly impossible for
visitors to understand the historic nature of the site.
New Bern is classified as a Priority IV, Class B battlefield
because so much of the site has been fragmented or lost.
South Mountain, Maryland
The battles for South Mountain are among the most important
fought during the war. Despite overwhelming odds, the
Southerners were able to delay Federal advances at Crampton's,
Fox's, and Turner's gaps, providing Gen. Robert E. Lee with the
time he needed to save his army. Three days later, the two
armies fought to a draw in the bloody battle of Antietam.
South Mountain remains much as it did at the time of the
battles. However, the eastern side of South Mountain is
vulnerable to development as the area rapidly becomes a bedroom
community for commuters in the Washington, D.C. area. Key
parcels near Burkittsville and along the Frostown Road in
Crampton's Gap remain unprotected.
South Mountain is ranked as a Priority I, Class B site.
Wilson's Creek, Missouri
This is the site of the first major battle of the Civil War
fought west of the Mississippi River. Approximately 18,000 men
fought for six hours amid rolling farmland of Greene and
Christian counties. Among the 2,300 casualties was Nathaniel
Lyon, the first Union general killed in combat during the war.
A plan to build a 1,500-house development immediately adjacent
to the battlefield could jeopardize the future of the park. If
approved, the 2,333-acre development would encroach on
battlefield land southwest of the park. The project will also
likely serve as a magnet for further sprawl west of the
battlefield.
Wilson's Creek is a Priority III, Class A battlefield.
At Risk Sites
Appomattox, Virginia - Although much of the battlefield retains
its wartime appearance, a 139-house subdivision has been
proposed for 200 acres east of the restored courthouse area. The
property includes the Morton House site, the scene of fighting
just hours before Lee's surrender.
Brown's Mill, Georgia - Residential housing has already consumed
parts of the site and 168 acres are currently slated for a
housing development.
Champion Hill, Mississippi - A subdivision is under construction
near the Tilghman monument site and the Raymond Road corridor
remains vulnerable to development.
Day's Gap, Alabama - Most famous for being one of the few times
Confederate cavalryman Nathan Bedford Forrest was bested by
Yankee opponents. Today, none of the land connected with Union
Colonel Abel Streight's victory is preserved.
Gaines' Mill/Cold Harbor, Virginia - Among the least protected
battlefields in the national park system. Three housing
developments line the perimeter of Gaines' Mill and the upper
half of Cold Harbor Battlefield is lost.
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania - Key parts of the battlefield remain
in private hands. Of particular concern is the Baltimore Pike
corridor.
Glorieta, New Mexico - A recent $373,000 federal grant for a
traffic study at Glorieta Battlefield provides hope Pigeon's
Ranch may reopen to the public. State traffic engineers want to
use the money to further plans to widen NM Route 50 through the
battlefield.
Harpers Ferry, West Virginia - Portions of the battlefield
remain vulnerable to development. The Senate Energy and Natural
Resources Committee has approved a plan to expand the park
boundary.
Helena, Arkansas - Most of the battlefield has been engulfed by
a growing community. Four Union batteries connected with the
defense of Helena remain in existence, but only one is protected
from development.
Manassas, Virginia - Sprawl now envelops the battlefield. A
controversial bypass proposal could relieve congestion within
the park, but it could also increase traffic and sprawl.
Mumfordville, Kentucky - More than 100 acres of pristine
battlefield remain unprotected. In addition, a 4.6-acre easement
at historic Fort Craig is not being enforced by local officials.
Port Republic, Virginia - Scene of the one of the culminating
struggles of Stonewall Jackson's famed Valley Campaign. Today,
large portions of the battleground remain in private hands. The
battlefield and surrounding area are also considered prime
terrain for quarry operations.
Reed's Bridge, Arkansas - This site was a key engagement during
the Union advance on Little Rock. Although small parts of the
battlefield are protected, the site's proximity to Interstate
440 and sprawl from Jacksonville and Little Rock threaten to
engulf the battlefield.
Spotsylvania Court House, Virginia - Site of the second clash of
Gen. Ulysses Grant's 1864 Overland Campaign.
Although 1,336 acres of the battlefield are protected by the
National Park Service, much of the site remains vulnerable to
development.
Wyse Fork, North Carolina - None of this battleground is
currently protected. Plans by state transportation officials for
a bypass through the battlefield, plus a proposed industrial
park, could destroy key portions of the
sites.
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