Here is something we received in response to our request to write Mitch Landrieu who becomes lieutenant governor in January and assumes responsibility for the Mansfield State Historic Site:

“Friends of the Mansfield Battlefield
In response to your request in a recent newsletter, I wrote Lt.-Gov.-Elect Mitch Landrieu, expressing hope that he would support efforts to preserve the Mansfield battlefield as a historic site. His answer was so very encouraging I thought you would like to see it. I’m enclosing a Xerox copy of it for your files. Sincerely, James M. Lowrey”

The Lieutenant Governor-Elect wrote:
“ Dear James, Thank you for your letter. I am in support of any measures to protect and preserve the historical site of the Mansfield Battlefield. I appreciate your interest and concern. With the kindest regards, I am Sincerely, Mitch”

The preservation of the Mansfield Battlefield is a touchy topic in Mansfield where the power company performing the lignite mining of the battlefield is an economic factor in the lives of residents. As we started the organization, Gary met with the mayor of Mansfield, Curtis McCoy. Mayor McCoy was extremely positive. As the mayor of Mansfield, we presented him with an honorary membership in the organization. He sent this response:

“Dear Friends: I would like to thank you for the Honorary Membership that has been given to me on behalf of the Friends of the Mansfield Battlefield. I certainly appreciate this honor. My email address is. . .and I will look forward to receiving newsletters on upcoming events and other information. Please advise if there is anything I or my staff can do to help enhance the importance of our Museum. It is indeed well kept and very informative. Sincerely, Curtis W. McCoy, Mayor”

“Dear Professor Joiner, I have read with great interest various Internet postings by the Friends of the Mansfield Battlefield. This historic site has figured prominently in my life, but it has been more than a decade since my last visit, and I was unaware of the threats now being posed. Given your interest in the site, I hope you will indulge me in one or two personal reminiscences. My mother and two uncles, along with other local schoolchildren, were present at the dedication of the Polignac monument. Their recollections of that event sparked my boyhood interest in the Battle of Mansfield and the Civil War generally. Growing up in Little Rock in the 1950s, I never missed an opportunity to roam the battlefield whenever we visited my grandmother in nearby Oxford. One of my parents’ most often-told anecdotes about my childhood (when I was twelve) was the time I walked some ten miles through dusty back roads to the battlefield when my father refused to drive me there for a third visit in as many days. At about the same time, I made an electric map of the battle (modeled after one I had seen at Gettysburg), using colored Christmas tree lights for the troop positions. Clearly an obsession, but what an educational one! In all those visits, I never saw another person on the grounds. The site had been neglected, and the overgrown monuments were barely discernible from the road. Later, in high school, I donated a small collection of relics found at the site to the new battlefield museum and attended the opening ceremonies. The enclosed check . . . is a modest contribution, but it comes with many happy memories of the Mansfield battlefield and every good wish for your group’s efforts in its behalf. Sincerely, Michael Willis, Cooperstown, N.Y.”

SATELLITE PHOTOS – THE GOOD & THE BAD
The satellite overflight photographs have arrived and they are truly remarkable! We are already reviewing the photography to analyze the damage to the battlefield from the mining operations. Gary has determined that the approximately 1827 acres in Phase 1 have not yet been mined. That’s the good news. It is heartening, too, that only 13% of the approximately 728 acres in Phase 2 have been mined. However, the damage in Phase 3 is more dramatic. Of the 565.5 acres, 22% show mining damage. These phases represent the core battle area of a field that encompasses some 5,000 acres. This is the first time we have been able to determine the extent of damage – and the opportunity we have to preserve what has not yet been touched.

We are checking with DigitalGlobe regarding their copyright and hope to get permission to put some of the photos on the Web site for your review. Our thanks to the organizations that helped the Friends pay for this analytical tool which is to become part of the historic record of the battlefield. We hope to have them in the future on our Web site at http://www.mansfieldbattlefield.org/. Click on Historic Site and scroll to the bottom to review the photo album that holds snapshots of the historic site. Photos of the mining operations are found under the Preservation Issues button.

MANSFIELD STATE HISTORIC SITE
On your behalf, Gary will present a carbine rifle and a historic letter to the park to enhance the educational experience. As people visit the site and begin to understand the significance of this battle, the enthusiasm for preservation grows. The digital camera given earlier by the Friends will not only help with educational activities, it will support cataloging efforts for the collection. The state has not provided sufficient staff or resources to assure proper cataloging of the collection, and we believe this is critical to the future of the site.

15TH TEXAS SPONSORS FUNDRAISING RAFFLE
We are excited about a fundraiser for the Mansfield State Historic Site that will end at the historic 140th anniversary celebration in April. Two of the finest makers of authentic uniforms and equipment are stepping up to do help with preservation and fundraising for the Friends. CJ Daley Historic Reproductions, Inc. will donate either a Confederate import Peter Tait jacket and trousers or a Federal sack coat and trousers to the winner of the raffle (winner’s choice). Second prize will be a Gardner pattern CS wooden canteen (cedar wood) donated by Sam Doolin. Tickets are $5 payable to Doug Cooper at coop2911@msn.com via Paypal (http://www.paypal.com/) or by mail to: Mansfield Preservation Raffle, C/O Doug Cooper, 2162 N Sevenoaks Way, Eagle, ID 83616.

If you are familiar with C.J. Daley, you will know the quality of these uniforms. The value here is just under $400 – so it’s both an investment in preservation and an opportunity to win a historic reproduction for you or your family member. Place “Mansfield Preservation Raffle” in the memo section of the check and include your e-mail in the envelope.

Doug has taken on the big job of collecting the money and assigning ticket numbers for each buyer. He will e-mail each buyer as confirmation. The winner will be picked from a random drawing on Sunday April 4, 2004, at the conclusion of the event in Louisiana. You do not have to be present to win. Every cent will go to Friends of Mansfield for grass roots projects and the Civil War Preservation Trust targeted for Mansfield land acquisition.

ABOUT THE 15th TEXAS ACTIVITIES IN APRIL
So how did a guy in Idaho get involved in this raffle? Doug is Captain Commanding Co B, 15th Texas Infantry whose participation is integral of the 140th anniversary celebration. He has shared information about their living history activities for April which we believe will be of interest to you:

“The Mansfield Preservation March is an ‘event within an event,’ being part of the 140th Anniversary commemoration of the pivotal battles of the Red River Campaign in 1864 in Northwest Louisiana. The event is hosted by the 15th Texas Infantry and friends. Goals of our portion of the event are:

1. Authentically replicate the experience of the 15th TX Inf during April 7-9, 1864 at the Battles of Mansfield and Pleasant Hill.
2. Duplicate the 15 mile overnight march of Mouton's Division from Mansfield to Pleasant Hill in battalion strength (125-150 men).
3. Raise awareness locally and nationally of the wholesale destruction of the unprotected portions of the battlefield by the Dolet Hills Mining Company.
4. Raise significant funds to support protecting what is left of the battlefield.
5. Improve our skills as living historians
6. Respectfully commemorate the sacrifice of those who struggled and died on both sides.

Lt.Col. Frank Aufmuth is commanding the battalion, Major Danny McCoslin is chief organizer and Sgt. Major is Stephen Johns. Company commanders are Joe Smotherman, Doug Cooper and Rob Williamson. Details and registration information are provided on the website located at: http://www.geocities.com/texasgroun...O4/PHILL04.html

Registration is first come first served - the first 125 men who pay their registration fee are in, with possible room for 25 more, logistics permitting. There are over 60 participants registered so far.

Those participants who choose not to do the march portion will have important support roles. Standards are high and will be enforced. A glance at the guidelines will show the varied nature of uniforms and equipment within Mouton’s division in the Spring of 1864. This will allow a broad range of options for participants.

The prize for fund raising by participants of the battalion will be a beautiful copy of an example of the regimental flag flown by the 15th Texas. The flag is being made by Don Smith of the Trans-Mississippi Depot Company and a ranger at Mansfield State Historic Site. The company that raises the most money prior to the event will have the honor of marching underneath it as color company. The individual participant that raises the most money will receive the flag at a ceremony at the close of the event.

We are planning several authentic sutler deals for preservation as well and a number of authentic details and vignettes during the event to enhance the experience. Details will follow on the website.

Mansfield is being destroyed before our eyes. CWPT has placed the battlefield on its ten most threatened list. We have a part to play to save our heritage and honor their sacrifice by preserving this battlefield.”

BITS & PIECES
Look at the March 2004 issue (already out) of America’s Civil War for an article written by Gary on the Red River Campaign. The title is “Up the Red River and down to Defeat.”

Gary and I will be at the April celebration with two books on the Red River campaign which he will sign for you. He is using his book One Damn Blunder From Beginning to End to discuss not only the Red River Campaign but the importance of the preservation of the Mansfield State Historic Site. He will be in Galveston later this month and has been booked for a March presentation in Long Island, N.Y.

Gary is now working on a scholarly book called “Voices of the Trans-Mississippi.” If you have letters or diaries in your family that you think might be useful as part of this record of the history of the “forgotten theater of action” in the Civil War, he would be happy to talk with you. You can e-mail him at gdjoiner@bellsouth.net or call him at (318) 222-6112 (office).

HONOR ROLL

****HONOR ROLL****

Special thanks to the following members who have joined at the Legacy Level and to our Business/Organization
members.

Evelyne C.T. Abney, Shreveport LA
Barton Allen, D.D.S., Dallas, TX
William & Becky Almond, Coushatta, LA
Roger K. Anderson, Shreveport, LA
Austin Civil War Round Table, Austin, TX
Berlin Airlift Veterans Association
Michael A. Bergeron, Lake Charles, LA
B. Gen. J.J. Alfred Mouton Camp 778 SCV, Opelousas, LA
James Bobbitt, Shreveport
Robert L. Bradley, Houston, TX
Angel Brandt, Dallas, TX
Capt. James P. Douglas Camp 124 SCV, Tyler, TX
Arthur R. Carmody Jr., Shreveport, LA
Pete W. Cawthon Jr., Hunt, TX
Richard L. Colquette, Shreveport, LA
Edward Cotham, Houston, TX
A.W. Davis, Bryan, TX
Reinhard Dearing, Slidell, TX
Markham A. Dickson Jr., Shreveport, LA
Semmes Favrot, New Orleans, LA
Flexographic Engraving Co., Inc., Tyler, TX
Francis Chandler Furman, Rolla, MO
Gen. Polk Chapter UDC, DeRidder, LA
Lee W. Gibbs, Chagrin Falls, OH
Jas. S. Gilliland, Memphis, TN
J. Forrest Green, Corsicana, TX
Nolan L. Green, Jacksonville, TX
David L. Gruber, D.D.S., Irving, TX
Mr. and Mrs. Gregory J. Hamer, Morgan City, LA
William Hayden, M.D., Paris, TX
Jonathan Henderson, Shreveport, LA
Andrew Higgins, Ruston, LA
History Club of East Texas, Longview, TX
John B. Hood Camp 40 SCV, Galveston, TX
Johnson-Sayers-Nettles SCV Camp 1012, Wortham, TX
Marilyn & Gary Joiner, Shreveport, LA
Paul Jones, Opelousas, LA
Denny Kalk, Navasota, TX
John M. Keahey, Missouri City, TX
Kyle A. Korcha, Leesville, LA
David J. Krebs, New Orleans, LA
Louisiana Division, SCV
James Marvin Lowrey, Sulphur, LA
Maj. Thomas McGuire Camp 1714 SCV, West Monroe, LA
George McCormick, Shreveport, LA
Fred McGilberry, Navasota, TX
Roderick Miller, Lafayette, LA
Montgomery County Artifact Recovery Club, Houston, TX
Moonlight & Lace B&B, Mansfield, LA
Greg Neal, Delhi, LA
North Louisiana Civil War Round Table, Shreveport, LA
Paul Oberle, Benton, LA
Angelo J. Piazza III, Marksville, LA
Robert C. Poimboeuf, Shreveport, LA
Patrick Reardon, London, England
Robert J. & Norma Richardson, Hillsboro, TX
Paul Rigali, Conroe, TX
Philip R. Ritchie, Carrollton, TX
Garland E. Robbins, Tomball, TX
Glen L. Roosevelt, Anaheim Hills, CA
Samuel D. Russell Camp 1617 SCV, Natchitoches, LA
Shreveport Chapter UDC, Shreveport LA
J.G. Smith, Stonewall, LA
Robert S. Stark, Brenham, TX
Charles H. Stewart, M.D., Lafayette, LA
Anita Tinsley, Jack Tinsley II, Jason & Sonia Tinsley, Taylor Tinsley, Lake Charles, LA
Norman Wayman, Longview, TX
Mr. and Mrs. L.J. Whitmeyer Jr., Colmesnell, TX

MEMORIAL
In memory of
Capt. John J. Bradley
Co. G, 19th Texas Infantry by his family