MEETING YIELDS GOOD NEWS
Officials Address Members
Three Awards Presented
New Board Elected

A perfect Louisiana October day greeted members who gathered for the sessions of the Friends of the Mansfield Battlefield annual meeting. The Mansfield State Historic Site hosted the morning session where site manager Steve Bounds reported on the activities at the site and his vision for the future. He reinforced the important role of the Friends. He noted that the 140th anniversary event in April attracted the largest number of visitors to any Louisiana historic site during the year. He also indicated that the attention that has been drawn to the Battle of Mansfield and Red River Campaign over the past few years has helped to increase visitors. He cited the support of a great staff and said they all had the desire to provide visitors with a meaningful experience.

Mansfield Mayor Curtis McCoy welcomed visitors at the luncheon and meeting that followed. An honorary member of the Friends, he reinforced his support for battlefield preservation. "People fought here and died here. . . it's part of who we are," he said.

Dr. Stuart Johnson, director of the Louisiana Office of State Parks, brought greetings from Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu and talked about plans for eco-cultural tourism and a Civil War Trail that would incorporate the Red River Campaign with the Mansfield State Historic Site as the anchor for the northern part of the trail.

The Friends of the Mansfield Battlefield has been important, drawing attention to the battlefield, educating people about the importance of Red River Campaign and, most important, pushing for preservation.  Dr. Johnson indicated that there are things his office cannot do alone and that the support of the Friends group has helped draw attention to the issue of preservation of the battlefield. He said it is important for us to "proceed down the road and work  with each other." As to the mining, he noted, "there is encroachment (of the lignite mine) into Phase 2, and that's alarming."

Dr. Johnson reported on a recent effort by Louisiana Attorney General John Foti to preserve the battlefield. The attorney general has met with representatives from SWEPCO and CLECO and told them he will take a stand on preservation. Dr. Johnson noted that if Attorney General Foti cannot arrive at a negotiated settlement about the issue, he has indicated he will use the powers of his office to protect the battlefield. 

Dr. Johnson noted that the Office of State Parks has had in its capital outlay a request for $4 million for major improvements at the Mansfield State Historic Site. This would include a new visitor center and infrastructure, with nearly $1 million to exhibits. As is always the case, the legislature approves many projects but only allocated dollars (via issue of bonds) for  a small portion of what was approved. For example, last year $400 million was approved by only $37 million was bonded.

Things are encouraging, Dr. Johnson said. SWEPCO has donated 41 acres and the Allen House (Banks' headquarters) and has pulled back on some leases so some of the land is no longer threatened. "A lot occurred because of initiatives of this group," he said. "Time is critical. Once it's dug, it's gone."

A highlight of the meeting was a presentation by David Duncan, membership and development director for the Civil War Preservation Trust. Duncan outlined the importance of battlefield preservation and gave insight into how his group has worked to protect battlefields. Among the most effective means is demonstrating support from people who care about the issue and putting political pressure to bear. He indicated that CWPT had even identified pro-preservation candidates to run for office.

Friends President Gary Joiner presented three awards during the meeting. The first, the Local Preservation Award, was to Dr. Andrew Porter, a Shreveport dentist who owns land on the Mansfield Battlefield. Dr. Porter was the first person in the state to agree to participate in a Department of Agriculture easements program that has been used to protect battlefields. Dr.Porter was ill and unable to attend, but the award was accepted by his wife, Sarah. Dan Laney, president of the Austin Civil War Round Table was unable to attend due to work commitments. He received a preservation award as did the Civil War Preservation Trust.  The awards were walnut plaques that featured an engraved state of Louisiana and acknowledged the efforts of each recipient in the preservation of the Mansfield Battlefield.

Gary reported on the activities of the Friends since its inception. A complete report can be found on the Web site. Among the two dozen highlights were:
· Created and operated the Web site http://www.mansfieldbattlefield.org/
· Partnered with the Civil War Preservation Trust and the Austin Civil War Roundtable to have a satellite photographic mission flown of the battlefield.
· Created a geographic information system of the battlefield
· Used GIS to create exhibits for the park, including the large display map in the auditorium and easel map
· Created the handout maps for the park
· Assisted in the outdoor interpretive signs
· Purchased a digital camera for park
· Purchased a fine replica of a Sharp’s Carbine for the Park
· Working on brochure/map for park patrons
· Field questions through the Web site from researchers looking for ancestors' units.  To date most are out of state and from Union states.  We average three per month.

Since Gary teaches at LSU in Shreveport, he emphasized a number of educational and outreach efforts as well. A complete list of accomplishments is found on the Web site.

The membership report by Marilyn Joiner indicated as of September 30 the group had 335 members/contributors from 19 states and three foreign countries. Louisiana and Texas represent some 290 of that number--not surprising since most of the Confederate troops at the Battle of Mansfield came from these states. Marilyn also presented the treasurer's report. The group currently has over $11,000 in the bank. She provided a P&L Statement and Balance Sheet. She also noted that the Web site designer had charged his regular rate but had, in turn, written a check for half that amount to the group.

Nominations for the board of directors were made and no nominations were made from the floor. The slate was accepted by acclamation. They are: William Almond, businessman,  Coushatta, Louisiana, businessman;  Hope Calhoun, landowner and preservationist, Mansfield; Arthur Carmody, attorney, Shreveport; Dr. Gary Joiner, businessman and history professor,  Shreveport; Marilyn Joiner, marketing executive, Shreveport; Dr. Cheryl White, history professor, Shreveport, and Tommy Youngblood, accountant, Shreveport.

The afternoon meeting was held in the parish hall of Christ Memorial Episcopal Church under the auspices of Annie Laurie and Harvey Samuels, who are members of the church. Father Guy Mackey spoke about the history of the church and noted that it is the only Episcopal church in the country that is a memorial to civil war participants. He and Annie Laurie took the group on a tour of the church to conclude the day.

Recognized for having made the longest journey to attend were Jim and Louise Rowell of Covington, Georgia. FOMB presented commemorative medallions to Dr. Johnson, Mayor McCoy and Father Mackey.

NOTICE: Our sympathy to the family of Honor Roll Member Louis Towles of Central, South Carolina who passed away last month.

MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS WILL GO OUT SOON -- SAVE US A STAMP!
If you have not yet renewed your membership, please consider doing so without receiving a separate invoice. We will be sending out invoices in November, and it will help save postage and time.

MEDALLIONS MAKE GREAT GIFTS

As the holiday approach, remember that medallions make great gifts. If you would like to order multiple medallions and live in the Shreveport, you can call Marilyn at 221-2853 to make arrangements to pick them up and avoid postage/ handling charges. Think about what a great gift this would make -- something a person can't buy for himself or herself in a store.  See our membership special below the renewal form.

HONOR ROLL
Do you know someone on our honor roll? Please review these names. These generous people and groups have joined at our legacy level or at the business/organization members. We thank them for their special generosity.

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
Barry E. Bentle, Fort Worth, 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
Leona Cagle, Shreveport, LA
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, Garden Grove, 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
Shirley Goodwin, Dallas, TX
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
Janie Joiner, LaPorte, 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
Fred McCasland, Houston, TX
George McCormick, Shreveport, LA
Fred McGilberry, Navasota, TX
Leon Maxey, Bossier City, LA
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
Donald V. Purn, Algonquin, IL
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
James Rowell, Covington, GA
Samuel D. Russell Camp 1617 SCV, Natchitoches, LA
Herbert Sayas, News Orleans, 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
Louis P. Towles, Central, SC
Frank Hall Wagner, M.D., New Orleans, LA
Norman Wayman, Longview, TX
Mr. and Mrs. L.J. Whitmeyer Jr., Colmesnell, TX
William T. Whittington, Hemphill, TX
Darryl P. Yank, Syracuse NY
 
MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL

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HOLIDAY SHOPPING MEDALLION SPECIAL  --

SAVE 50% On Each Gift Medallion Through November!

Pay full price ($20) for your first medallion and save 50% on each additional medallion ordered during the month of November. (If you have previously ordered a medallion and are a member in good standing, save 50% on new orders during through November.)
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FRIENDS OF THE MANSFIELD BATTLEFIELD  P O BOX 44144, SHREVEPORT  LA  71134