ON THE FRONTLINES OF PRESERVATION

Sometimes we get a taste of what the Confederacy must have felt when they had limited financial resources and manpower to fight a powerful, better-financed Union foe. Hopefully, we will have more positive results and did the beleaguered Confederates as we come together to pool our resources to press for preservation of the Mansfield Battlefield. We have been personally sending out letters and our most positive response has come from Mitch Landrieu, candidate for Lieutenant Governor, who sent a personal note and said he would look into the situation.

If you have not yet written a letter to all – or at least some – of the leading contenders in the race, this is the time to do so. If you belong to an organization that has an interest in battlefield preservation and the rich history of America, please urge your members to join in the letter-writing campaign. (See addresses and details in the August issue of our newsletter available at our Web site http://www.mansfieldbattlefield.org/.) If you need us to mail you a list, you may call us at our office at (318) 222-6112. We do not have a formal office for this organization and are using the resources of our small business to help with the Friends group so that dollars can be focused on history and preservation efforts. It’s a small office, so leave a message if you don’t get an answer. Our intern has ended her internship and we are back to our evenings and weekends volunteer work schedules. Things may not get to you as quickly now, but we will continue to keep you informed.

Here are some points you might want to make in letters you write:

• The historic Mansfield Battlefield is part of the history of the United States and is important to all Americans.
• Indiscriminate lignite mining has been chewing up sections of the battlefield.
• It is critical to have independent review (i.e. not by hired guns of the utility companies) of sites for additional mining to determine the remaining areas that must be protected.
• Once the battlefield is ravaged, its historical value is diminished.

Letters to the editor of the papers in the region will certainly get the attention of elected officials and those vying for office. . .and, hopefully, the utility companies. The (Shreveport) Times and Mansfield Enterprise are two places that you may want to consider writing.

One politician who REALLY needs to hear from you is Lt. Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco. Lt. Gov. Blanco is currently responsible for oversight of the state’s historic sites – and she is a leading contender for governor in the fall elections. Lt. Governor Kathleen Blanco -- You may contact her at Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism Address: P.O. Box 44243, Baton Rouge LA 70804-4243. E-mail: kblanco@crt.state.la.us. The Lafayette Advertiser ran a letter from Marilyn on August 18 asking for support for the Friends from the Acadiana area of Louisiana – Lt. Governor Blanco is from Lafayette.

AND A CHILD SHALL LEAD THEM

From time to time, we receive many heart-warming notes with contributions to the Friends. Few have been as endearing as the one we received late last month from Canada. The writer indicated that his son is a fan of the U.S. Civil War and is a reenactor. They came upon the Web site and learned of the plight of the battlefield. His son had been saving to purchase a baseball glove. Instead, he gave the money to FOMB – with some help from his father.

When we write a check for $25, $50, $100 or more, we often do it with ease, knowing that next month that money will be replaced. If this child can come forward with his savings, we must ask what more we can do.

• Can you copy our membership application and forward it to 10 or more of your friends, telling them this is an issue that is important to you and seeking their help?
  
• Can you write one or more letters to Louisiana officials or Louisiana papers?
  
• Can you send us information and images of your ancestors who fought in the battle?
  
• Can you volunteer at the Mansfield State Historic Site?

MANSFIELD COMMEMORATIVE WEEKEND – A FRIENDS FUNDRAISER

Friends member Chuck McMichael has put together a symposium to draw attention to the Mansfield Battlefield, and you are invited to attention. A member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, he has enlisted the help of his fellow SCV members and will be mounting an exciting event that is sure to be of interest to all who are fascinated by American history. You are invited to attend the event and support the Battlefield as well since the profits will help preservation and support efforts of the Friends of the Mansfield Battlefield. Pass the word – everyone is welcomed to attend!

Here are the details:
On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, October 3 - 5
Friday – During the day, re-enactors will be set up on the grounds of the Mansfield State Historic Site to present programs for school groups; A reception for attendees will be held in the evening.
Saturday – Speakers through the day; noontime re-enactment; box lunch at noon; musical entertainment in the evening. Among those scheduled to be part of this event are SCV Commander in Chief Ron Wilson and SCV Historian in Chief Kelly Barrow.
Sunday – Memorial Service

The cost for the whole package is $25. This includes the reception, the conference, the noon box lunch and re-enactment as well as the musical entertainment. If you wish to attend only the conference (the speaker portion of the day) you may register on-site for $15. There is no cost for those taking part in reenactment activities only. Any re-enactor who can come by 10 a.m. on Friday to help with the school program will be appreciated.

Please send your checks payable to the Friends of the Mansfield Battlefield to:
Chuck McMichael
c/o Mansfield Weekend
7734 W Lakeshore Drive
Shreveport, La 71107

We are fortunate to have dedicated members like Chuck who take on special responsibilities like this great event. Thank you, Chuck! We’ll be sending our check right away.

A PLACE TO STAY IN MANSFIELD

When you visit Mansfield, you are invited to stay at the B&B owned by one of our newest members. Pam Heberlie, owner of Moonlight and Lace B&B has joined at a generous level. Please consider this lovely B&B for your next trip to Mansfield. It’s located just minutes from the battlefield on a beautiful hillside. Pam can be reached at 318-871-5591 or at pamheb@bellsouth.net.

HAVE YOU VISITED OUR WEB SITE?

If you have not yet done so, please check it out. http://www.mansfieldbattlefield.org/. You can see the lignite mining monster gobble up ground and view some of the sites at the battlefield, plus you’ll keep up-to-date on what’s happening with our organization.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR CIVIL WAR/RED RIVER CAMPAIGN ANCESTORS?

Please let us know if you have an ancestor who fought in the Red River Campaign. We’re creating a database with information about the oft-ignored rank-and-file as well as the notable officers. You can get information on this on our Web site. We’re seeking images as well as information.

HONOR ROLL

****HONOR ROLL****

Special thanks to the following members who have joined at the Legacy Level and to our Business/Organization members.

LOUISIANA
Evelyne C.T. Abney, Shreveport
Roger Anderson, Shreveport
Berlin Airlift Veterans Association, Benton
James Bobbitt, Shreveport
Arthur R. Carmody, Jr., Shreveport
Richard L. Colquette, Shreveport
Reinhard Dearing, Slidell
Markham A. Dickson Jr., Shreveport
Semmes Favrot, New Orleans
General Polk Chapter, United Daughters of the Confederacy, DeRidder
Mr. and Mrs. Gregory Hamer, Morgan City
Jonathan Henderson, Shreveport
Andrew Higgins, Ruston
Gary D. Joiner, Shreveport
Paul Jones, Opelousas
Kyle A. Korcha, Leesville
David J. Krebs, New Orleans
Louisiana Division, Sons of Confederate Veterans
James Marvin Lowrey, Sulphur
Roderick Miller, Lafayette
Moonlight and Lace B&B, Mansfield
North Louisiana Civil War Round Table, Shreveport,
Paul Oberle, Benton
Robert C. Poimboeuf, Shreveport
Shreveport Chapter, United Daughters of the Confederacy, Shreveport
J.G. Smith, Stonewall
Charles H. Stewart, M.D., Lafayette
Anita Tinsley, Jack Tinsley II, Jason & Sonia Tinsley, Taylor Tinsley, Lake Charles

TEXAS
Barton Allen, D.D.S., Dallas
Austin Civil War Round Table, Austin
Robert L. Bradley, Houston
Angel Brandt, Dallas
Capt. James P. Douglas Camp #124, Sons of Confederate Veterans, Tyler
Nolan L. Green, Jacksonville
David L. Gruber, D.D.S., Irving
William Hayden, M.D., Paris
John B. Hood Camp # 50, Sons of Confederate Veterans, Galveston
Johnson-Sayers-Nettles Camp # 1012, Sons of Confederate Veterans, Wortham
John M. Keahey, Missouri City
Montgomery County Artifact Recovery Club, Houston
Robert and Norma Richardson, Hillsboro
Philip R. Ritchie, Carrolton
Robert S. Stark, Brenham
Mr. and Mrs. L.J. Whitmeyer, Jr., Colmesneil

CALIFORNIA
Glen L. Roosevelt, Anaheim Hills

OHIO
Lee W. Gibbs, Chagrin Falls

TENNESSEE
James S. Gilliland, Memphis, Tenn.

NEW MEMORIALS

IN MEMORY OF

JOSHUA A. SAXON
Company B, Walker’s Texas Cavalry
By his great grandson, J. Forrest Green

Help the Membership Grow
Please share this membership form with someone who might be interested in helping to preserve and enhance the Mansfield Battlefield.