EXCITING NEWS ABOUT MEETING
Gary is among the people who have been invited to a meeting with Louisiana Governor Blanco regarding the mining operations and preservation of the Mansfield Battlefield. This is an exciting opportunity to present the case for battlefield preservation and has likely been greatly influenced by the Louisiana Life magazine cover article featuring the battlefield situation and the intervention of the Austin Civil War Round Table, Louisiana Environmental Action Network and Tulane Environmental Law Center. We will update you in the March issue about the results of this meeting.

BOARD MEETING SCHEDULED
A meeting of the board of the Friends of the Mansfield Battlefield is scheduled for February 20. If you have issues you wish to be discussed by the board, please forward these to us by e-mail or snail mail. Among the issues under consideration will be cooperative efforts with the Mansfield State Historic Site, Louisiana Department of State Parks and the Friends of the Mansfield Battlefield. There is a great opportunity for us to help preserve the collection at the Mansfield State Historic Site. Due to budget constraints, this has not been accomplished, and some of the collection could be at risk unless it is cataloged and preserved.

RED RIVER CAMPAIGN TO BE FEATURED ON CRUISE
When most people think of a cruise, they think of warm Caribbean seas, perhaps Hawaiian isles, or even a cruise up the Pacific coast of North America to Alaska. A very different kind of cruise is the “brown water” cruise offered by the Delta Queen. History America has scheduled a Delta Queen cruise up the Mississippi and Red Rivers with the focus being the Red River Campaign. Gary will join Richard McMurry as historian consultants for the cruise out of New Orleans in June. The itinerary will include visits to picturesque Oak Alley plantation and St. Francisville, followed by stops at Alexandria, Natchitoches (the oldest town in Louisiana) and Baton Rouge. The land trips will include visits to Red River Campaign sites. For information, call History America at 800-628-8542. You may visit their Web site at historyamerica.com for information. We are already anticipating seeing some of our members on this cruise.

A LITTLE HELP FROM OUR FRIENDS – WE LOVE MAIL!
One of the great pleasures of being a volunteer for this organization is opening the mail. Let’s face it—most of us really enjoy receiving meaningful mail. The art of letter writing is dying, and that makes personal notes and letters more delightful than ever.

Mary Clark of Mansfield shared with us that she has mailed copies of the Louisiana Life magazine article to cousins. “Our great grandfather was Elijah Parsons Petty, Capt. Walkers Texas Division. He fought at Mansfield and was killed at Pleasant Hill. I’m so proud of what you all are doing,” she said. Actually, we need to remember that it is what WE as a group are doing. Each of you is a vital part of what is happening to preserve the battlefield. 

One of our regular correspondents is Frank Larkin of New Orleans. His return address label indicated he was an Aggie, which gives us a connection. We are Aggie parents and mentioned the connection.In January Frank sent us a beautiful history-packed calendar that is jam-packed with information. Frank tells us that he has been ordering the calendars from Austin, Texas, for over 20 years from Col. Jones of the Ross Volunteers from Texas. December is a special month in this year’s calendar since it features Private Mayfield of the 4th Texas, a unit that served at Mansfield and Pleasant Hill.  We enjoy notes from Frank and from others who tell us why they have joined and why this fight is important to them. If you have time, take a few minutes to e-mail or write us about why this group is important to you—why you have joined.

PRESERVATION SEMINAR TOTAL
Our friend Dan Laney informs us that the Texas Civil War Preservation Seminar raised approximately $10,000 for preservation. He notes that over the life of the seminar $138,500 has been raised for preservation from a total attendance of 2,700 people. This is truly a remarkable accomplishment, and we thank them for their efforts. He notes that the 2005 seminar will be held Nov. 19 with a subject as “Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia.” If you make plans early, here’s the date to mark.

OVERFLIGHT WEATHER DELAYED
The satellite overflight we reported about in the last newsletter has been delayed due to weather. Every day that the satellite has been over the park has been cloudy. We are on their list for the next clear day—an essential feature to get the clearest picture of what damage the mining has made since the last photo was taken. A special thanks again to our friends at the Austin Civil War Round Table and the Civil War Preservation Trust for their support for this project.

FRIENDS EXPLORE SUPPORT FOR MANSFIELD STATE HISTORIC SITE
The Friends have entered into discussions with the Office of State Parks to determine how we can best assist with the cataloging and curation of the collection, both of which are essential to preservation. As this battle and the Red River Campaign gain recognition, the Site has an opportunity to receive new documents and artifacts. It is critical that these be maintained in the best possible way to assure that the legacy of generous donors is preserved. The Board will be discussing how we can best be of assistance. Our mission of preservation includes not simply preservation of the battlefield but preservation of the history.

PLEASE UPDATE YOUR ADDRESS
Please let us know if you have a new e-mail address or if you have changed mailing addresses. Sending out newsletters each month takes a considerable amount of time, both with the folding and mailing of snail mail letters and the sending of e-mail messages. Put us on your list if you make these changes! In case you have an email but have been reluctant to share it, we want to assure you that we do not sell our lists

NEW HISTORY DISCOVERED
New documents have come to light concerning the Red River Campaign. We are awaiting a copy of a journal from a Union zouave with the 165th New York. Early indications are that this journal will provide quite a bit of new data. We hope to report some of this to you in the next newsletter.

ADVISORY APPOINTMENT
Gary has been asked to serve on the National Advisory Board of the Civil War Preservation Trust. He is delighted to accept this invitation and will do what he can to support the mission of that group and the specific mission of the Friends of the Mansfield Battlefield.

MEMBERSHIP-RENEWALS

Have you renewed? If not, please do so. Individual $25   Family  $35                Family Legacy  $100       Business/Organization $100                     Business/Organization Leadership Level $150 We also appreciate larger memberships!We accept check or credit card for your membership.  Please give us the following information:

Your Name & Address                                                                              Telephone Number (in case we have a question)                                              Your email:  for future newsletters & correspondence                                       Your payment information. Credit Card Type (VISA, MASTER CARD, AMERICAN EXPRESS) Card Number & the "V Code" *security code on upper right of Amex (4 digits)  or back of VISA/MC (3 digits). We also need your signature with the credit card. All members at $100 or higher are listed on our honor roll. Send your renewal to Friends of the Mansfield Battlefield, P.O. Box 44144, Shreveport LA 71134.

COMMEMORATIVE MEDALLIONS

Order your 140th anniversary burnished bronze commemorative medallion--a fundraiser for preservation of the Mansfield Battlefield. Medallions are $20 each ($16 is a tax-deductible contribution). Postage/shipping is $4.75 for up to 5 medallions. Insurance is $1.30 but not required. Send your request to Friends of the Mansfield Battlefield, P.O. Box 44144, Shreveport LA 71134. You may combine your membership and medallion orders on one check or credit card charge. The medallions feature Banks and Taylor on one side and the commemorative information on the other. Each is individually numbered, adding to its value in the edition of 1000.

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
Robert Bailey, Longview, 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
Mary Clark, Mansfield, LA
Landon A. Colquitt Family, Kingsport, TN
Richard L. Colquette, Shreveport, LA
Edward Cotham, Houston, TX
Anna Dattalo, Nederland, TX
Greggory Davies, Winnfield LA
A.W. Davis, Bryan, TX
Reinhard Dearing, Slidell, TX
Markham A. Dickson Jr., Shreveport, LA
Bobby F. Dowden,  Princeton TX
Robert L. Erwin, Knoxville, TN
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
J “Matt” Barton Camp Camp #441 SCV, Scroggins, 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
H. Don Jones, Henderson, TX
Paul Jones, Opelousas, LA
Denny Kalk, San Antonio, 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. George W. Littlefield, Camp 59, Austin, TX
Maj. Thomas McGuire Camp 1714 SCV, West Monroe, LA
Fred McCasland, Houston, TX
George McCormick, Shreveport, LA
Fred McGilberry, Navasota, TX
Tony Matt, Sugar Land, TX
Leon Maxey, Bossier City, LA
Roderick Miller, Lafayette, LA
Montgomery County Artifact Recovery Club, Houston, TX
Moonlight & Lace B&B, Mansfield, LA
North Louisiana Civil War Round Table, Shreveport, LA
Paul Oberle, Benton, LA
Greg O’Neal, Delhi, LA
Damian Paul, Kailua, HI
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 / Sudie 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
John R. White, Darlington, MD
Mr. and Mrs. L.J. Whitmeyer Jr., Colmesnell, TX
William T. Whittington, Hemphill, TX
Darryl P. Yank, Syracuse NY