American Battlefield Trust — January 2023
Originally published January 2023 · pp. 22–23
evident in the more than 55,000 acres of battlefield land it has protected, the Trust encourages you to learn how you can help preserve, educate, and inspire. If you’re looking for a gift, consider a gift membership to the Trust (including a subscription to Hallowed Ground magazine). You can also help protect battlefield land in the name of a loved one! Additionally, the Trust offers workplace giving for federal
Trust Receives an Opportunity to Acquire and Restore “General Pickett’s Buffet” Site For decades, the famous “General Pickett’s Buffet” has been a part of the battlefield backdrop for visitors to Gettysburg National Military Park. Now, as restauranteur Gary Ozenbaugh sets out to relocate his popular business, the chance has arisen for the Trust to acquire and restore the original site. Following a $1.5 million acquisition campaign and subsequent restoration costs, the Trust will be able to more seamlessly integrate the site into the adjacent parkland. Consisting of a half-acre, the site overlooks the field of Pickett’s Charge where, over 150 years ago, 12,000 Confederate soldiers advanced toward Cemetery Ridge. The same ground also saw continued military service in World War I and World War II. Additional information on this multilayered history and the developing plan to restore the area to its Civil War era appearance is available at www.battlefields.org/3to1match. Although the eatery is moving on from its Steinwehr Avenue roots, it is not disappearing from Gettysburg. A restaurant operated by the same team is set to open as part of the reimagined Boyds
Bears complex. The scenario is a true win-win for everyone involved; more preserved battlefield and a beloved institution thriving in a new location, retaining local jobs, and accommodating even more customers. “It has been a privilege to contribute to the Gettysburg community for so many years,” said Ozenbaugh. “Knowing that, through working with the Trust, I am able to help enrich the experience of visitors for generations to come is an absolute joy.”
Protecting the Past: 22 Acres Saved at Louisiana’s Port Hudson and Mansfield Louisiana contains more than 30 principal battlefield sites tied to the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, and the Civil War. With its recent addition of 2.57 acres at Port Hudson and nearly 20 acres at Mansfield, the Trust has reached a preservation total of almost 772 hallowed acres saved in the Bayou State. Since 1993, the Trust has saved 258.57 acres at Port Hudson and 459.29 acres at Mansfield. Carrying priceless value that adds to the state’s expansive history, these battlefields, both state historic sites, will now grow and augment opportunities
Port Hudson Battlefield in Jackson, La. Photo by Gerard Plauche. for visitors to discover the many stories ingrained in the soil. One of the most contested locations during the summer of 1863, Port Hudson was critical in determining control of the Mississippi River. The Federals fought long and hard to capture the site from the Confederates. After a 48-day siege, the southern citadel surrendered on July 9, 1863. The newly preserved tract is located within the Confederate defenses used during the siege. It also contains portions of postsiege earthworks constructed by the Union’s Corps d’Afrique. With the objective to capture Louisiana’s Confederate capital at Shreveport, Union forces launched the Red River Campaign in the spring of 1864. However, Confederate forces stood fast, blocked the road to Shreveport, and forced Union forces to retreat at the Battle of Mansfield on April 8, 1864. The recently acquired tract covers land tied to the second phase of the 1864 battle. Learn more about the Trust’s preservation victories at www. battlefields.org/preserve/ celebrate-our-victories.
employees, IRA donations for members over 70 years old, and more. Learn more at www. battlefields.org/give.
Trust Color Bearers Gathered for Annual Grand Review In mid-October, the Trust’s annual Grand Review took place in King of Prussia, Penn. There, roughly 150 Color Bearers walked in the footsteps of General Washington’s troops at Valley Forge National Historical Park. They explored this heartland of Revolutionary War history through an offering of nine tours and one compact history talk. As such, attendees walked away with a whirlwind of knowledge of the Revolution’s Ten Crucial Days and Philadelphia Campaigns, and a pride in contributing to 210 preserved acres of hallowed
history at the nearby Brandywine and Princeton Battlefields.
Trust Mourns the Passing of Football Legend and Preservationist Vince Dooley The Trust joined the outpouring of grief following the passing of Coach Vince Dooley in late October. Although best known for his 25-year career as head football coach at the University of Georgia, Dooley was an integral part of the historic preservation community, serving three terms on the organization’s Board of Trustees and a term as chairman of the Board of Curators of the Georgia Historical Society. Although he served in many capacities on the Trust’s board between 2013 and May 2022, when his final term expired, Dooley was proudest of his time chairing the organization’s education committee. He was also instrumental in the protection of 180 acres at the Kettle Creek Battlefield in Washington, Ga. Dooley also served two years in the Marine Corps, had his master’s degree in history, and was a published author. In 2015, he released The Legion’s Fighting Bulldog.
Virginia County Votes to Permit Data Center Construction Adjacent to Manassas Battlefield At a Prince William Board of County Supervisors meeting that began the night of November 1, hundreds of local citizens, as well as conservation and preservation organizations, waited patiently until after midnight for an opportunity to speak out against a controversial proposal that will allow massive data centers to be
Discover New Ways to Support the Trust’s Mission
While the Trust perseveres to acquire the “General Pickett’s Buffet” site, the popular eatery will relocate elsewhere in Gettysburg. Photo by Noel Kline.
For over a decade, the Trust has worked ardently to maintain its coveted four-star rating from the nonprofit Charity Navigator, demonstrable evidence of its dedication to the mission and supporters. With its effectiveness
CivilWarNews.com
Color Bearers tour Valley Forge at the Trust’s 2022 Grand Review. Photo by Buddy Secor.
What a data center might look like when placed upon land tied to the Battles of Manassas. Photo of battlefield by Rob Shenk/ data center image by Tim Aubry, Greenpeace. constructed adjacent to Manassas National Battlefield Park. Despite significant public opposition, the Board of Supervisors passed the measure 5-2, clearing the way for major development. “Thirty-five years ago, the modern battlefield preservation movement began, spurred by the massive suburban growth across Northern Virginia,” said Trust President David Duncan. “Today, the threats are different but the need to call for careful planning that balances modern development with respect for America’s past remains unchanged.” Despite the disappointing outcome, the American Battlefield Trust is prepared to work with Prince William County to mitigate the impact of the site plans. Learn how you can support Trust advocacy efforts at www.battlefields.org/preserve/ speak-out.
Trace 3,515 Acts of Valor on Virtual Map A new global map from the Medal of Honor Valor Trail,™ a joint initiative of the American Battlefield Trust and the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, allows users to virtually
follow in the footsteps of Medal of Honor recipients by clicking on a location to learn more about the actions that led to their distinguished service and their personal histories. The Medal of Honor Valor Trail™ initiative spans the full lineage of the Medal of Honor, from its Civil War origins into the 21st century. It is designed to connect the places most deeply connected to the lives and legacies of recipients, from battlefields to burial places, memorials to museums, hometowns to namesake sites. In doing so, the Valor Trail is creating a community of sites that together illuminate the core values of service that spans centuries. “Recipient stories have rarely been told from the places where their heroics unfolded,” said Trust President David Duncan. Medal of Honor citations typically describe a single act of valor above and beyond the call of duty. Each is exceptional, but when viewed collectively through a map, they tell a much broader story that helps show the exceptional men and women who, generation after generation, have answered the nation’s call to service. Explore the Places of Valor map and the trail at large at www.valortrail.org.
Photographs from the Original Article
Captions and credits appear in the article text as originally printed.