It's been a busy Memorial Day weekend. As we work on this newsletter and clean up after family has left, we are thinking of the thousands of people who were affected by the U.S. Civil War 140 years ago, the dead, the wounded, and the families that were never quite the same again. And we are thinking of those who fought at Mansfield and who gave their lives there fighting for causes they believed in.
Many scholars believe that the first time a day was set aside to honor the war dead in America was following the Civil War. More Americans were killed in that war than in any before or since. Today, many American can trace their ancestry to men who fought in the Union and Confederate armies. It's no wonder that historical tourism is such a popular activity with Americans.
We must not forget those who fought and those who died. And we must hold the sites sacred as a way of honoring the sacrifices. Thank you for what YOU are doing to help us preserve the Mansfield Battlefield.
ANNUAL MEETING IN THE WORKS
We are currently in the planning stages for an annual meeting this fall. Due to the space limitations at the Mansfield Battlefield, we are seeking a site to host the event. We expect to do this in late September or early October. At that time of the year the weather is still very hot, and the park lacks seating for meal.
We anticipate a schedule that will include a welcome event at the park with coffee, soft drinks and cookies, a tour with a ranger, move to the meeting site for a status report on the Friends, an update on preservation activities from our wonderful friends (the Austin Civil War Round Table, Civil War Preservation Trust and Louisiana Environmental Action Network), and a sit-down luncheon with a special speaker. We are hoping to have a tour of Christ Memorial Episcopal Church which was used as a hospital following the battle. Once we get the date and host site confirmed, we will be able to secure speakers, and we will update you so you can mark your calendar and make your travel plans.
This would be a great time to visit the park and see for yourself the dangers it faces from lignite mining. Those who saw it for the first time during the 140th anniversary celebration were shocked. It is much worse that you can imagine from the small photos on our Web site.
In case you wonder what the "restored" land looks like, you might think about the photos sent back from Mars by the Rover. It's still land, yes, but its historical significance is diminished. Every time we see the shovel jab into the earth, we wonder what is being disturbed. Bones? Spirits? Relics?
INTEREST IN KALAMAZOO
We just returned from Kalamazoo, Michigan, where Gary received the Albert Castel Award for the best book on the western theater of the Civil War. The biennial award is presented by the Kalamazoo Civil War Round Table. We had a wonderful meeting with this hospitable group as Gary spoke on the battle, using example from his book, One Damn Blunder from Beginning to End, the Red River Campaign of 1864. This was a very knowledgeable CWRT (as is usually the case), and we invited them to visit the battlefield and to check out our Web site to learn more.
IT'S VACATION TIME
What are you doing this summer? Is a trip to the Mansfield Battlefield on your agenda? If you think you cannot make a fall meeting, consider a visit to the park this summer. It's generally a slow time during the hot weather, but the museum is cool, the film produced by the Louisiana Parks Department is great, the staff is eager and bright, and they will enjoy knowing you are a Friend of the Mansfield Battlefield.
We are visiting Civil War sites this summer and using it for "research." We hope to get ideas for the Friends and for the Mansfield State Historic Site. (Of course, Gary will also be seeking research materials for future historic works -- that's a never-ending task!)
FUNDRAISING EFFORTS - DO YOU NEED A GIFT?
Our medallion project is in profit mode now. Do you have some special events coming up that require a gift? What about
giving each grandchild/niece/nephew a keepsake with a special meaning? How about honoring someone special? We can accept your payment and ship to any and all addresses you specify. We will enclose a nice gift card and send the package priority mail. You can only get this gift from us!
TIME TO RENEW?
Our renewals are trickling in without a notice being sent. When we return from vacation, we will send out notices. If it's time for you to renew, please send your membership now and that will save us both time and postage.
A GIFT THAT LASTS
If you're like us, you may have started thinking about estate planning. How can you best provide for those you love as well as for the causes that are important to you? If, indeed, this organization and this cause is important to you and your family, please remember the Friends when you talk to your financial/estate planner. There are many wonderful ways these days to support us and allow your support to continue for many years to come.
HONOR ROLL
A special thanks to those who have joined at the legacy level and to our business/organization members.
13th Texas Infantry Camp #1565, SCV, Angleton, TX
Evelyne C.T. Abney, Shreveport LA
Charles Affeltranger, Pineville 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
Civil War Round Table of Orange County, CA
Richard L. Colquette, Shreveport, LA
Edward Cotham, Houston, TX
Greggory Davies, Winnfield LA
Bobby F. Dowden, Princeton, TX
A.W. Davis, Bryan, TX
Reinhard Dearing, Slidell, TX
Markham A. Dickson Jr., Shreveport, LA
Bobby F. Dowden, Princeton TX
Semmes Favrot, New Orleans, LA
Flexographic Engraving Co., Inc., Tyler, TX
Jeanie & Dan Flowers, Houston, 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
Frank Larkin, 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
Greg O’Neal, Delhi, LA
Dorothy Perkins, Rancho Santa Fe, CA
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
Donald Rigali, Spring, 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
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