TOP 10 LIST ONCE AGAIN

The Civil War Preservation Trust has released its list of America’s Most Endangered Civil War Battlefields, and the Mansfield Battlefield is once again on the list. The list and a news release can be found on CWPT’s Web site:  http://www.civilwar.org/ under the “newsroom” tab with the title,  “History Under Siege.”

 “America’s Civil War history is under siege,” warned CWPT President James Lighthizer during the news conference. “Nearly 20 percent of America’s Civil War battlefields have already been destroyed – denied forever to future generations. Across the country, hallowed ground, where more than 600,000 Americans gave their lives, is being paved over for shopping malls and housing tracts. Without swift and decisive action, many of the sites listed in this year’s report will soon be little more than a memory.”

Joining Lighthizer at the news conference was DreamWorks recording artist and historic preservationist Darryl Worley, nominated top new male vocalist in 2002 by the Academy of Country Music. The debut single from Worley's self-titled album, “Awful, Beautiful Life” recently held the #1 spot for two weeks on Billboard’s Hot Country Singles and Tracks chart. In his remarks, Worley echoed Lighthizer’s concerns.

“As a young child growing up near Shiloh [Tennessee], I was always fascinated to learn more about the history that took place virtually in my own backyard,” said Worley. “Our country’s Civil War history is so rich and so vital, and we owe it to our children to do everything in our power to safeguard that legacy.”

Also participating in the news conference was Libby O’Connell, Ph.D., chief historian of The History Channel. O’Connell, who developed and oversees Save Our History, The History Channel’s campaign for historic preservation and history education, is also a trustee of CWPT, a member of the Mt. Vernon Scholars Committee and one of the Board of Advisors of the National Council for History Education.

History Under Siege is comprised of two parts: the first section cites the 10 most endangered battlefields in the nation, with a brief description of their history and preservation status; the second section lists 15 additional “at risk” sites round out the top 25 endangered battlefields in the country.

The sites mentioned in the report range from the famous to the nearly forgotten. However, all have a critical feature in common — each one or part of one is in danger of being lost forever. The battlefields were chosen based on geographic location, military significance, and the immediacy of current threats.

This is a list we would prefer not to be listed on. However, we know that being on the list will continue to draw attention to the plight of the battlefield. We hope it will be beneficial for our preservation efforts.

Currently, we partner with CWPT on preservation projects and will continue to do so. Through their efforts, additional acreage has been protected. We are now awaiting a new satellite overflight to further demonstrate the disastrous effect of mining on the battlefield.

BOARD VOTES TO PARTNER WITH STATE ON COLLECTION CURATION

The board of the Friends of the Mansfield Battlefield has voted to join with the State of Louisiana to help assure that the collection of artifacts and information is preserved for viewing and research. The state has been unable to fund the position of curator for the Mansfield State Historic Site. While we will not take on the task of paying employees, we have voted to bring in a consulting curator to catalog the collection and place documents and artifacts in appropriate acid-free containers or sleeves. We have been in discussion with officials in the Office of State Parks which controls the Mansfield State Historic Site’s museum.

OVERFLIGHT WEATHER DELAYED BUT STILL ON AGENDA

The satellite overflight of the battlefield, commissioned to demonstrate the damage done since the first was presented as been delayed again. Weather has not been clear on days when the satellite is over the battlefield. The last satellite photo was so clear and crisp and so on target (centered on the Mouton monument), that we are hoping for another one just as dramatic. Once we have the photo, we will publish it on our Web site. Because this is a repeat job, the satellite firm doesn’t have to figure coordinates again, and, thus, has given us a better price. The Civil War Preservation Trust and the Austin Civil War Round Table are joining us in commissioning this photograph.

ANNIVERSARY 141 FOR MANSFIELD DO YOU HAVE YOUR MEDALLION?

We plan to be in Mansfield at the State Historic Site next month on April 9. The Mansfield State Historic Site does not have staff to plan an elaborate celebration every year, but the staff would still be happy to see you. Traditionally, Pleasant Hill has a reenactment every year. The Pleasant Hill battlefield just south of Mansfield is privately-owned. Reenactors camp and fight there every year, and vendors are always present.

If you will not be in Mansfield this year, you can order your medallion for preservation from us. We are making money for preservation with each medallion sale. If you belong to a Civil War Round Table or to a UDC or SCV camp, consider how nice it would be to include one in an auction, as a gift for speakers, or a door prize.

INTEREST OUTSIDE LOUISIANA

Gary has recently lectured in Charleston, South Carolina, to a meeting of military historians and in Fort Worth, Texas, to the Texas State Historical Association. There is an interest in the Red River Campaign and this battlefield far beyond our local boundaries.

AEP SWEPCO – THEIR QUICK FACTS POINT TO DESTRUCTION

The Mansfield Enterprise, the newspaper in Mansfield, Louisiana, recently published a special section featuring businesses in the area. In this section, businesses purchased advertising to talk about what they do. AEP SWEPCO purchased a full page ad in which they talked about how they protect the environment and how they mine lignite, including some quick facts like theses:
• Mining began in 1985
• Dolet Hills (Lignite Company) operates two 1570-@ Bucyrus-Erie walking draglines with 85-cubic-yard buckets.
• Each 85-cubic yard bucket is about the size of a 1 ½ car garage  (After seeing the size of the bucket, we think it must be the size of one of those executive garages with space for at least one Humvee.)
They indicate that their process “restores the land to its approximate original contours and to the use—such as timber of agriculture—that is designated by the landowner. They also indicate that, in order to mine the coal, they must “dewater” the area with well pumps that pump as much as 120 to 130 gallons per minute. They do this 18 to 24 months ahead of the dragline pit.

Please see our Honor Roll List for names of people who deserve special recognition. Look for the medallion order on the Web site and order your 140th anniversary bronzed medallion in black velvet pouch. All proceeds to toward battlefield preservation.