Why I Support the Central Virginia Battlefield Trust
By Bradley M. Gottfried, Ph.D. · Originally published October 2019 · pp. 15
Why I Support the Central Virginia Battlefield Trust
By Bradley M. Gottfried, Ph.D. I prepare detailed map atlases of Civil War campaigns—six are in print and a couple are on the way. I visit battlefields multiple times as I work on each volume. Sometimes I am pleased by what I see and sometimes not. Gettysburg is a prime example, where virtually the entire battlefield is preserved. Then there is Fredericksburg, where development has engulfed the sacred ground traversed by wave after wave of Union troops attempting to capture Marye’s Heights on December 13, 1862. The Wilderness is another example of development destroying pivotal parts of a battlefield. In this case, it is a gated high-end housing development that does not permit visitors to even walk the sacred ground—at least, what is left of it. Much of the fighting on May 6, 1864 occurred within its boundaries, including the unfinished railroad cut which General Longstreet’s men used to roll up the Union flank on May 6, 1864. Salem Church is still another example of unbridled and unregulated growth almost completely destroying an important battlefield, leaving only its namesake untouched. That’s why when invited to join the Board of Directors of the Central Virginia Battlefield Trust (CVBT), I jumped at the opportunity. Like a growing number of regional preservation groups, the CVBT concentrates on a specific area. All of the examples above are areas of CVBT’s focus. Because of their efforts, a major portion of the Chancellorsville battlefield is now preserved. They were also instrumental in protecting Willis’ Hill and other important portions of the Fredericksburg battlefield, such as Pelham’s Corner. More recently, they have purchased important parcels on the Wilderness battlefield. I am most excited about their recent work at Spotsylvania. Large portions of this battlefield remain undeveloped, but the building trend will soon overtake any unprotected portion. The CVBT moved quickly to purchase over fourteen acres along Brock Road that was pivotal during the opening phases of this battle. When the owner of Myer’s
Hill indicated a willingness to work with the CVBT to purchase the 73-plus acres, the organization worked with him on a financial agreement that will preserve this important battlefield. This parcel contains a pristine battlefield where General Emery Upton and his brigade were pushed off the top of the hill by a coordinated Confederate attack. General George Meade watched the action here and was almost captured by the surging Confederates. Because of the CVBT, this important battleground will be protected in perpetuity. I especially appreciate the fact that the organization can and does move quickly to secure property as it comes on the market. The U. S. Park Service may have the funds to purchase land, but is usually not able to move quickly to secure it. As a result, the two entities work closely to ensure that important battlefield lands are being protected. Readers should also know that the CBVT does not simply sit back and wait for land to come on the market. It regularly identifies desirable land and contacts owners to see if they are interested in selling the property. This proactive approach has effectively kept a number of important properties off the market. The CVBT has also received a number of donations of sacred land, including the position of the Norfolk Artillery on the Fredericksburg battlefield. Because I moved to Pennsylvania and could no longer be an active participant of the CVBT, I reluctantly stepped off the Board. My support for the organization remains strong as I continue to support it financially and through cartography. It is only through the support of its members can the CVBT continue its vitally important work. For further information please see its web site at www.cvbt.org.