Our guess is that since you have joined this group, you likely know others who would be interested in the cause of preservation of this endangered battlefield. Perhaps you know a preservationist or a historian. Perhaps you know a genealogist or a person whose ancestor fought in the Red River Campaign. Perhaps you have an ancestor who fought in the campaign and could contact a relative who might share your passion for that contact to your ancestor. Perhaps you have visited the Mansfield State Historic Site or have walked the battlefield at Pleasant Hill. Perhaps you are a Louisiana resident who knows another Louisiana resident who sees the economic benefits of tourism connected to history. Perhaps you are a resident of a more affluent state and know another resident of your state who enjoys touring historic places. We think you might make a persuasive case for membership to someone who knows and respects you.

We don’t want to spend a lot of money on expensive brochures and mailings unless we absolutely have to. So we’re asking you to use your telephone, to write a letter or to send an email to secure at least ONE new member for the Friends of the Mansfield Battlefield. Let’s use the month of February to secure new members. Your reward will be the satisfaction of knowing that you have helped us grow without our having to use Friends dollars on printing and postage. We thought it might be fun to make this a contest. After all, the goal is to get new members.

If you would like to participate in the membership contest, simply print out the membership form and put your name on the form before you pass it on to someone who might be interested in joining. At the end of the month we will total the memberships and the person who has secured the most new members will receive two books One Damn Blunder From Beginning to End (the story of the Red River Campaign of 1864) and the Red River Campaign (a book of essays for which he is co-editor and in which he wrote an essay and driving tour). Gary will inscribe the books to you or to the person of your choice.

We could spend close to a thousand dollars just to send a mailing throughout the country to people who might be interested. You are likely to know people who will be interested. And your phone call, e-mail or postage stamp can help save the dollars for preservation. Do what you can. We’ll count on you so you can count on us.

THEY’RE B-A-C-K!
Some think the Joiners started this group – while we provided the initial idea and some seed money, the first bonafide contribution (even before the Louisiana secretary of state incorporation papers and IRS number came) was from BAVA. In case you don’t recognize the initials, they are veterans of one of America’s most unusual wars, the Cold War. The Berlin Airlift Veterans Association visited the Mansfield State Historic Site in 2003 during their reunion in Shreveport. What they saw encouraged them to want to help. Park Ranger Scott Dearman knew of plans to create the Friends of the Mansfield Battlefield and suggested a contribution to our group just being formed. (Funds given to the historic site individually go into the state coffers and not directly into a specific fund for the Historic Site – giving to the Friends helped to assure that the money would go to directly support the site.) This year the BAVA group is stepping forward again to offer support. We appreciate not only their generosity but their recognition that American military veterans and the places they fought deserve respect. (Check out the photo on our Web site.)

MANSFIELD STATE HISTORIC SITE
We have been told that over 1,000 reenactors have already signed up to participate in the 140th anniversary of the historic Battle of Mansfield and Battle of Pleasant Hill. (April 8 and 9, 1864) This is exciting news! What this means to you and to others who may visit is that you will see one of the largest encampments and reenactments since the battle itself. A good measure of the interest is due to the attention that has been drawn to the battlefield by FOMB and others like the Civil War Preservation Trust and the Louisiana Preservation Alliance. You have helped by being a part of the FOMB. Your dollars have gone to focus attention on preservation issues and to let people know that while we are a small group, we are not a silent one! Thank you for what you are doing for historic preservation. We hope you will plan a trip to the Mansfield State Historic Site this spring so you can see what is happening – on the other hand, if you don’t want to see the continuing devastation of the land, perhaps you would be wise to stay at home. (From Marilyn: My aunt was approached by the mining company to lease land she owned in the Dolet Hills areas near the battlefield. She was told that they would ”put the land back exactly as it was.” It was a good sales pitch. As a person who grew up in the area, I have visited and found there to be little relationship to what was there. The area was once known for its rough wild appearance and even as the location of caves. Sadly, that seems but a distant memory.)

15TH TEXAS FUNDRAISING RAFFLE & FOMB COMMEMORATIVE ITEM
This is a reminder of the 15th Texas’ fundraiser mentioned in the last newsletter. Two of the finest makers of authentic uniforms and equipment are stepping up to do help. 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.

We are working to produce a commemorative medallion for the 140th anniversary. The medallion will be a limited edition of 500 and Friends members will have first-chance to purchase a medallion. We will give you details about ordering in the next newsletter—we had hoped to have the details firmed up by this issue, but the design is still in the works. Tentatively, we are anticipating a piece with Banks and Taylor on the front and the commemorative dates on the back. Depending on the costs to us (a two-sided piece requires two detailed dies for stamping), we will offer the medallion for a $20 donation to FOMB. We are hoping to have the pieces sequentially numbered and to include keepsake packaging for each piece. That’s a lot of value for a $20 keepsake, so we will see what we can do. The cost or features are subject to change. If they are to be shipped, shipping will be an additional cost. We will limit early orders to one per member and will retain the remainder to be offered to those who visit for the anniversary celebration activities. Following the anniversary, any remaining pieces late in the edition will be offered through the organization. We know it’s early to be thinking of gift-giving for the holidays, but this would be a wonderful thing to purchase and put away for someone who appreciates Civil War and preservation issues.

A LOOK INTO THE PAST
From Member Fred Knoodle, Harbor Springs, Michigan
Attached is photo of my great great grandfather John Knodel Sr.and son John Knodel Jr. They were both of the 161st New York Infantry. John Jr.died of typhoid fever in Dec. 1862 but his dad John Sr. went on to fight in the Western campaigns serving under General N.P.Banks in the Red River Campaign in the spring of 1864.

John Knodel Sr.was wounded in the Battle Of Sabine Crossroads (Mansfield) April 8th,1864.He was shot through the left thigh breaking the femur bone, also a wound through the right hip. He laid on the battlefield for 1 day and 2 nights before taken prisoner by the Confederates and taken to the Free Mason Hall at Mansfield, and later removed to the University Hospital in New Orleans where he remained prisoner under the Confederate Army. After being prisoner for 2+ months he was paroled at the University Hospital per Prisoner Exchange Order War Dept. Series G.O 298. John Knodel Sr. was given a Disability Discharge at Ft. Gaines Alabama March 5th, 1865. He died at the Soldiers Home in Bath, New York, in 1896 at the age of 84. When he enlisted in 1862 he was 51 years of age but gave it as 44 to be able to join with his son.

In April 2001 we attended the re-enactment of the Battle of Pleasant Hill,and at that time I visited the museum at Mansfield and talked to the interpreter, I think his name was Scott. After I returned home I sent him the photograph Of John Knodel and son, and he said he would add it to the wall where there were other photographs of the soldiers that were in the battle. I also sent him some of the many military and pension records of John Knodel.

(Note: If you would like to send a few paragraphs about your family member who fought in the Red River Campaign, we will be happy to accept them for possible publication in a future issue of the FOMB Newsletter. You may e-mail to info@mansfieldbattlefield.org or send to FOMB, P.O. Box 44144, Shreveport, LA 71134-4144.)

MAKING MORE FRIENDS
The Friends of the Mansfield Battlefield has been fortunate to have some great friends in the camps of the Sons of Confederate Veterans. Gary has enjoyed speaking to these organizations and has appreciated the support. But we must remember that it takes two sides to make a battle. It’s easy for the SCV units to see the importance of the battle and to see what is happening—they are so near. However, the recognition within union groups is less likely to occur. It seemed appropriate to identify a SUV (Sons of Union Veterans) group nearby. There was none. Gary is one of many Americans who has ancestors in both the Confederate and Union armies and is a member of both of these heritage groups. To help draw attention to the plight of the battlefield, he has set up an organizational meeting for a SUV group in Shreveport/North Louisiana. He has had interested from potential members as far away as New Orleans. (For those of you who not familiar with Louisiana, New Orleans is a five to six hour drive from Shreveport.)

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. & Bonnie 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
Greggory Davies, Winnfield LA
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
Houston Civil War Aficionados, Houston 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
Questers-Bayou Chapter, 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
Darryl P. Yank, Syracuse NY

MEMORIAL
In memory of
Garland Bright 19/24 Arkansas
By his great grandson Doug Bright