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	<title>This Mighty Scourge &#187; Civil War Preservation Trust</title>
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	<description>An examination of the men, regiments and brigades that fought in the American Civil War - Plus book reviews, Author Interviews and Photo Essays</description>
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		<title>Gettysburg Casino Developers Consider Appeal</title>
		<link>http://thismightyscourge.com/2011/06/11/gettysburg-casino-developers-consider-appeal/</link>
		<comments>http://thismightyscourge.com/2011/06/11/gettysburg-casino-developers-consider-appeal/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 11 Jun 2011 14:57:19 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michael Noirot</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Announcements]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Call to Action]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Civil War Preservation Trust]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Civil War Trust]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[General Musings]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[David La Torre]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Eric Wittenberg]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gettysburg Casino]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[La Torre Communications]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mason Dixon Resort]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mason Dixon Resort and Casino]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[No Casino Gettysburg]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Rantings of a Civil War Historian]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[As reported yesterday by Eric Wittenburg, the proposed developers of the Mason Dixon Resort and Casino in Gettysburg are considering an appeal. Recently denied approval to build a casino near the Gettysburg National Military Park by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control &#8230; <a class="more-link" href="http://thismightyscourge.com/2011/06/11/gettysburg-casino-developers-consider-appeal/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>As reported yesterday by <a title="Eric Wittenburg" href="http://civilwarcavalry.com/?page_id=7" target="_blank">Eric Wittenburg</a>, the proposed developers of the Mason Dixon Resort and Casino in Gettysburg are considering an appeal. Recently denied approval to build a casino near the <a title="Gettysburg National Military Park" href="http://www.nps.gov/gett/index.htm" target="_blank">Gettysburg National Military Park</a> by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, the group is weighing an appeal to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. I for one think it&#8217;s despicable that this group is not giving up their fight. The preservation community, including the <a title="Civil War Trust" href="http://www.civilwar.org/" target="_blank">Civil War Trust</a> and <a title="No Casino Gettysburg" href="http://nocasinogettysburg.ning.com/" target="_blank">No Casino Gettysburg</a>, waged a successful campaign to keep the casino from blemishing the hallowed ground where the largest battle in North America took place in July 1863. The people of Pennsylvania have spoken. Give up the fight and move on. We do <strong>NOT </strong>want your casino anywhere near Gettysburg!</p>
<p>Let David La Torre, principal of the public relations firm <a title="La Torre Communications" href="http://www.latorrecommunications.com/" target="_blank">La Torre Communications</a>, representing the Mason Dixon Resort, know how you feel. Contact him via email: david@latorrecommunications.com and tell him <strong>NO CASINO IN GETTYSBURG</strong>!</p>
<p>Click <strong><a title="Wittenburg's article on potential Gettysburg casino appeal" href="http://civilwarcavalry.com/?p=2682" target="_blank">HERE</a></strong> to read Wittenburg&#8217;s blog article.</p>
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		<title>Victory at Gettysburg!</title>
		<link>http://thismightyscourge.com/2011/04/15/victory-at-gettysburg/</link>
		<comments>http://thismightyscourge.com/2011/04/15/victory-at-gettysburg/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 15 Apr 2011 16:11:55 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michael Noirot</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Call to Action]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Civil War Preservation Trust]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Civil War Trust]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Battle of Gettysburg]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gettysburg Casino]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gettysburg National Military Park]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[No Casino Gettysburg]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[It was announced yesterday that the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board rejected a proposal to build a casino near the Gettysburg National Military Park. This is a monumental victory for battlefield preservationists. A casino so close to the Gettysburg battlefield would &#8230; <a class="more-link" href="http://thismightyscourge.com/2011/04/15/victory-at-gettysburg/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>It was announced yesterday that the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board rejected a proposal to build a casino near the <a title="Gettysburg National Military Park" href="http://www.nps.gov/gett/index.htm" target="_blank">Gettysburg National Military Park</a>. This is a monumental victory for battlefield preservationists. A casino so close to the Gettysburg battlefield would have been an insult to the memory of the 50,000+ valiant soldiers who became casualties on the hallowed fields that flowed with their blood from July 1 &#8211; 3, 1863. I applaud the <a title="Civil War Trust" href="http://www.civilwar.org/" target="_blank">Civil War Trust</a> and <a title="No Casino Gettysburg" href="http://nocasinogettysburg.ning.com/" target="_blank">No Casino Gettysburg</a> for their efforts in opposing the casino. The following press release was issued by the Civil War Trust yesterday.</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><strong><em>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</em></strong></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><em>April 14, 2011</em></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><em>For more information, contact:</em><br />
<em>Jim Campi, (202) 367-1861 x7205</em><br />
<em>Mary Koik, (202) 367-1861 x7231</em></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><strong><em>PROPOSED GETTYSBURG CASINO LOCATION REJECTED BY PENNSYLVANIA GAMING CONTROL BOARD</em></strong></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><em>Civil War Trust praises board for its enduring commitment to protecting this hallowed ground</em></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><em><strong>(Harrisburg, Pa.)</strong> – Following today’s decision by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board to reject a second proposal to bring casino gambling to the doorstep of Gettysburg National Military Park, Civil War Trust president Jim Lighthizer issued the following statement:</em></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><em>“Both personally, and on behalf of our members, I would like to thank the members of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board for their thoughtful deliberation and insightful decision.  By stating that the hallowed ground of America’s most blood-soaked battlefield is no place for this type of adults-only enterprise, they have reiterated the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s commitment to its priceless history and upheld its obligation to protect such sites from wanton and unnecessary degradation.</em></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><em>“This is a great day, not just for Gettysburg, but for all historic sites.  However, we must remember that this proposal was just a symptom of a larger problem — the numerous irreplaceable sites similarly besieged by ill-considered development.  I am confident that those seeking to protect priceless treasures of our past will be empowered by this victory for historic preservation, and I hope that its spirit will be carried forth in other communities facing similar questions of encroachment.</em></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><em>“Sadly, this was not the first time that the Gaming Board was forced to weigh the possibility of gaming with a Gettysburg address.  Now that two such proposals have been denied — clearly demonstrating the resonant power this iconic site and the widespread desire to protect it — I sincerely hope that those would seek personal profit and financial gain will think twice about trading on the blood of 50,000 American casualties.</em></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><em>“Now, as ever, the Civil War Trust and its allies stand ready to work on behalf of Gettysburg and the other deathless fields that shaped the legacy of our nation, particularly as we begin the sesquicentennial commemoration of the American Civil War. We are exceptionally pleased to have the support and cooperation of visionary government bodies, like the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, that understand the singular significance of such sites to aid our efforts.”</em></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><em>Since it was announced last year, the proposal to open Mason-Dixon Gaming Resort a scant half-mile from Gettysburg National Military Park has drawn immense opposition — an early April survey by a nationally renowned polling and research firm found that only 17 percent of Pennsylvanians supported the idea, with 66 percent actively opposed and 57 percent indicating that such a facility would be “an embarrassment” to the Commonwealth.  Tens of thousands of petitions were submitted against the project and nearly 300 prominent historians united to urge its rejection, as did the national leadership of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund and the American Legion.  Other prominent Americans who lent their name to the campaign to protect Gettysburg include Susan Eisenhower, Emmy-winning filmmaker Ken Burns, two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning author David McCullough, Medal of Honor recipient Paul W. Bucha, renowned composer John Williams and entertainers Matthew Broderick, Stephen Lang and Sam Waterston.  In 2005, citing public outcry, the Gaming Board likewise rejected a plan to construct a casino one mile from the edge of the national park.</em></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><em>The Civil War Trust is the largest nonprofit battlefield preservation organization in the United States.  Its mission is to preserve our nation’s endangered Civil War battlefields and to promote appreciation of these hallowed grounds.  To date, the Trust has preserved more than 30,000 acres of battlefield land in 20 states— including 800 at Gettysburg. Learn more at <a title="Civil War Trust" href="http://www.civilwar.org/" target="_blank">www.civilwar.org</a>.</em></p>
<p>Please consider supporting the Civil War Trust by becoming a member. Click <em><strong><a title="Join the Civil War Trust" href="http://www.civilwar.org/take-action/membership/" target="_blank">HERE</a></strong></em> for more information.</p>
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		<title>Wal-Mart Abandons Plans for Wilderness Supercenter</title>
		<link>http://thismightyscourge.com/2011/01/26/wal-mart-abandons-plans-for-wilderness-supercenter/</link>
		<comments>http://thismightyscourge.com/2011/01/26/wal-mart-abandons-plans-for-wilderness-supercenter/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 26 Jan 2011 15:27:50 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michael Noirot</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Announcements]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Call to Action]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Civil War Preservation Trust]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Civil War Trust]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Wilderness Wal-Mart]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[This is a great day for battlefield preservation. While driving to a meeting a short time ago, I heard on FoxNews radio that Wal-Mart has announced that it will abandon its plans to build a Supercenter adjacent to the Wilderness &#8230; <a class="more-link" href="http://thismightyscourge.com/2011/01/26/wal-mart-abandons-plans-for-wilderness-supercenter/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>This is a great day for battlefield preservation. While driving to a meeting a short time ago, I heard on FoxNews radio that Wal-Mart has announced that it will abandon its plans to build a Supercenter adjacent to the Wilderness Battlefield. Within minutes, I received the following announcement from the <a title="Civil War Trust" href="http://www.civilwar.org/" target="_blank">Civil War Trust</a> that details this development. If you&#8217;re not a member of the Civil War Trust, please take some time today to <a title="Join the Civil War Trust" href="http://www.civilwar.org/take-action/membership/" target="_blank">join</a>. Their efforts in this fight were instrumental in the successful battle against Wal-Mart.</p>
<p>*********************************************************************</p>
<p><strong>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</strong><br />
January 26, 2011</p>
<div id="_mcePaste">For more information, contact:</div>
<div id="_mcePaste">Jim Campi, (202) 367-1861 x7205</div>
<div id="_mcePaste">Mary Koik, (202) 367-1861 x7231</div>
<p><strong>WALMART ABANDONS PLANS TO BUILD SUPERCENTER ON WILDERNESS BATTLEFIELD</strong></p>
<p>Preservation community pleased with decision by retail giant to drop plans to build a supercenter within historic boundaries of Wilderness battlefield</p>
<p>(Orange, Va.) – In an unexpected development, Walmart announced this morning that it has abandoned plans to pursue a special use permit previously awarded to the retail giant for construction of a supercenter on the Wilderness Battlefield.  The decision came as the trial in a legal challenge seeking to overturn the special use permit was scheduled to begin in Orange County circuit court.</p>
<p>“We are pleased with Walmart’s decision to abandon plans to build a supercenter on the Wilderness battlefield,” remarked James Lighthizer, president of the Civil War Trust.  “We have long believed that Walmart would ultimately recognize that it is in the best interests of all concerned to move their intended store away from the battlefield.  We applaud Walmart officials for putting the interests of historic preservation first.  Sam Walton would be proud of this decision.”</p>
<p>The Civil War Trust is part of the Wilderness Battlefield Coalition, an alliance of local residents and national groups seeking to protect the Wilderness battlefield.  Lighthizer noted that the Wilderness Battlefield Coalition has sought from the very beginning to work with county officials and Walmart to find an alternative location for the proposed superstore away from the battlefield.</p>
<p>“We stand ready to work with Walmart to put this controversy behind us and protect the battlefield from further encroachment,” Lighthizer stated.  “We firmly believe that preservation and progress need not be mutually exclusive, and welcome Walmart as a thoughtful partner in efforts to protect the Wilderness Battlefield.”</p>
<p>In August 2009, the Orange County Board of Supervisors approved a controversial special use permit to allow construction of the Walmart Supercenter and associated commercial development on the Wilderness Battlefield.  A wide range of prominent individuals and organizations publicly opposed the store’s location, including more than 250 American historians led by Pulitzer Prize-winners James McPherson and David McCullough.  One month after the decision, a group of concerned citizens and the local Friends of Wilderness Battlefield filed a legal challenge to overturn the decision.</p>
<p>The Battle of the Wilderness, fought May 5–6, 1864, was one of the most significant engagements of the American Civil War.  Of the 185,000 soldiers who entered combat amid the tangled mass of second-growth trees and scrub in Virginia’s Orange and Spotsylvania counties, some 30,000 became casualties.  The Wilderness Battlefield Coalition, composed of Friends of Wilderness Battlefield, Piedmont Environmental Council, Preservation Virginia, National Trust for Historic Preservation, National Parks Conservation Association, and Civil War Trust, seeks to protect this irreplaceable local and national treasure.</p>
<p>The Civil War Trust is the largest nonprofit battlefield preservation organization in the United States.  Its mission is to preserve our nation’s endangered Civil War battlefields and to promote appreciation of these hallowed grounds.  To date, the Trust has preserved nearly 30,000 acres of battlefield land in 20 states.  Learn more at <a title="Civil War Trust" href="http://www.civilwar.org/" target="_blank">www.civilwar.org</a>.</p>
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		<title>Eric Wittenberg on Newsweek&#8217;s Preservation Article</title>
		<link>http://thismightyscourge.com/2011/01/15/eric-wittenberg-on-newsweeks-preservation-article/</link>
		<comments>http://thismightyscourge.com/2011/01/15/eric-wittenberg-on-newsweeks-preservation-article/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 15 Jan 2011 21:06:05 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michael Noirot</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Announcements]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Call to Action]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Civil War Preservation Trust]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Civil War Trust]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Eric J Wittenberg]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Eric Wittenberg]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Newsweek]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[I encourage all of you to check out Eric Wittenberg&#8217;s comments on the January 13, 2011 Newsweek article, &#8220;Battle Over the Battlefields.&#8221; You can read the text of the article and he provides a link to also read it on &#8230; <a class="more-link" href="http://thismightyscourge.com/2011/01/15/eric-wittenberg-on-newsweeks-preservation-article/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I encourage all of you to check out <a title="Eric Wittenberg on Newsweek's preservation article" href="http://civilwarcavalry.com/?p=2335" target="_blank">Eric Wittenberg&#8217;s comments</a> on the January 13, 2011 Newsweek article, &#8220;Battle Over the Battlefields.&#8221; You can read the text of the article and he provides a link to also read it on the Newsweek.com website. Most important, get involved with the <a title="Civil War Trust" href="http://www.civilwar.org" target="_blank">Civil War Trust</a>. Thanks, Eric, for letting us know about this article.</p>
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		<title>CWPT is now Civil War Trust</title>
		<link>http://thismightyscourge.com/2011/01/11/cwpt-is-now-civil-war-trust/</link>
		<comments>http://thismightyscourge.com/2011/01/11/cwpt-is-now-civil-war-trust/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 12 Jan 2011 03:50:45 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michael Noirot</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Announcements]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Call to Action]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Civil War Preservation Trust]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Civil War Trust]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[James Lighthizer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jim Lighthizer]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[Good evening friends. I received an email last night from Jim Lighthizer, president of the Civil War Preservation Trust (CWPT). The email explained that the Civil War Preservation Trust has changed their name to the Civil War Trust. As Mr. &#8230; <a class="more-link" href="http://thismightyscourge.com/2011/01/11/cwpt-is-now-civil-war-trust/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.CivilWar.org/" target="_blank"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-4242" style="margin: 3px;" title="New Civil War Trust logo" src="http://thismightyscourge.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/civil-war-trust-badge-example.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="167" /></a>Good evening friends. I received an email last night from Jim Lighthizer, president of the <a title="Civil War Trust" href="http://www.civilwar.org/" target="_blank">Civil War Preservation Trust</a> (CWPT). The email explained that the Civil War Preservation Trust has changed their name to the Civil War Trust. As Mr. Lighthizer explained, the CWPT board of directors and staff decided the time was right to modernize the organization&#8217;s name and logo in order to better reflect their mission and goals. Their website address remains the same. Following is the text from the email.</p>
<p>***********************************************************</p>
<p>Dear Friend in Preservation,</p>
<p>Today, I&#8217;m pleased to share with you some exciting news about the next step in the natural evolution of our efforts to preserve our nation&#8217;s irreplaceable Civil War battlefields, as the Civil War Preservation Trust becomes, simply, the Civil War Trust.</p>
<p>Rest assured that there has been no change in mission or management &#8212; we are every bit the same efficient, vibrant and dynamic organization that you and our 55,000 members believe in so passionately. I am incredibly proud of the outstanding reputation we have built in the historic preservation community, and the nearly 30,000 hallowed acres we have saved for future generations.</p>
<p>But after careful thought, deliberation and research, my staff, board and I determined that the time was right to modernize the Trust&#8217;s name and logo to better reflect our mission and goals. Despite our many successes, our previous name was not widely recognized outside our immediate constituency. As we begin the commemoration of the Civil War sesquicentennial in earnest, we feel this shift will help us make more Americans aware of the work we do to preserve our nation&#8217;s heritage. After all, what better way to commemorate the great struggle between North and South than to save the historic landscapes of the Civil War for our children and grandchildren?</p>
<p>I invite you to learn more about the thought and planning that went into this decision by visiting <a title="Civil War Trust logo" href="http://www.civilwar.org/logo" target="_blank">civilwar.org/logo</a>. I hope you are as pleased with the result of our efforts as I am. And look forward to your continued passionate and generous support for our efforts.</p>
<p>Thank you again for your commitment to the Civil War Trust and our nation&#8217;s heritage.</p>
<p>Jim Lighthizer, President Civil War Trust</p>
<p>PS: As always, we welcome thoughts and feedback from our members. You can reach Civil War Trust staff by emailing <a title="Email the Civil War Trust" href="mailto:info@civilwar.org">info@civilwar.org</a>.</p>
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		<title>Civil War Preservation Trust Announces 2010 Accomplishments</title>
		<link>http://thismightyscourge.com/2010/12/29/civil-war-preservation-trust-announces-2010-accomplishments/</link>
		<comments>http://thismightyscourge.com/2010/12/29/civil-war-preservation-trust-announces-2010-accomplishments/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 29 Dec 2010 19:34:28 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michael Noirot</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Call to Action]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Civil War Preservation Trust]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Civil War]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Civil War Battlefield Preservation]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[I received the following email from the Civil War Preservation Trust (CWPT) on Monday. Friends, there are very few charitable organizations that have the record of protecting historically sensitive land than the CWPT. They control their administrative costs and spend &#8230; <a class="more-link" href="http://thismightyscourge.com/2010/12/29/civil-war-preservation-trust-announces-2010-accomplishments/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.civilwar.org/" target="_blank"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-4215" style="margin: 3px;" title="Civil War Preservation Trust" src="http://thismightyscourge.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/CWPTlogo-withURL-lowres-1.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="113" /></a>I received the following email from the <a title="Civil War Preservation Trust" href="http://www.civilwar.org/" target="_blank">Civil War Preservation Trust</a> (CWPT) on Monday. Friends, there are very few charitable organizations that have the record of protecting historically sensitive land than the CWPT. They control their administrative costs and spend $0.89 of ever $1 on their mission: saving vital Civil War sites. There are still a few days left for you to make a difference and receive tax deductions for 2010. If you are looking for places to provide your charitable donation, look no further than the CWPT. Click <strong><em><a title="Donate to the CWPT!" href="https://secure3.convio.net/cwpt/site/Donation2?df_id=1242&amp;1242.donation=form1&amp;JServSessionIdr004=z8urrgphj4.app331b" target="_blank">HERE</a></em></strong> to make your donation.</p>
<p>*************************************************************</p>
<p><strong>Dear CWPT Supporter,</strong></p>
<div id="_mcePaste">Before the year comes to a close, I want to send along my heartfelt thanks for the support that you have shown this organization over the past twelve months. 2010 was another banner year for the Civil War Preservation Trust and for battlefield preservation. Looking back over a year of accomplishments I hope that you will feel confidence in knowing that your support produced real results.</div>
<p><strong>WE DO WHAT WE SAY</strong></p>
<div>
<div>We save Civil War battlefields, pure and simple. Over our history we have saved more than 29,000 acres of Civil War battlefield land. In 2010, with your generous support, we&#8217;re now working to add an additional 1,400 acres of hallowed ground to the saved column.</div>
</div>
<p><strong>2010 HIGHLIGHTS</strong></p>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Two vitally important Gettysburg tracts, totaling 12 acres</li>
<li>49 Acres at Saunders Field on the Wilderness Battlefield</li>
<li>10 Acres at the Second Manassas Battlefield</li>
<li>84 Acres at the Spring Hill Battlefield</li>
<li>782 Acres at Brandy Station</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><strong>WE KEEP OUR EXPENSES TO A MINIMUM</strong><br />
In 2010, we spent just 3.3% of our expenses on administration, and just 8.3% on fundraising, meaning that 88 cents of every dollar we spent went directly toward specific battlefield preservation efforts, education programs and our public outreach activities.</p>
<p>I will stack those stewardship numbers up against any other non-profit in America</p>
<ul>
<li>In 2010, CWPT received Charity Navigator&#8217;s 4-Star Charity designation – their highest award. <a title="Charity Navigator Report" href="http://www.civilwar.org/aboutus/news/news-releases/2010-news/charity-navigator-4star.html" target="_blank">Read Report »</a>.</li>
<li> GuideStar, designated us as a &#8220;Valued Partner&#8221;</li>
<li>The Independent Charities of America organization gave us their &#8220;Best in America&#8221; award</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>WE MULTIPLY THE VALUE OF YOUR DONATIONS</strong><br />
Our Real Estate and Government Relations staff are constantly looking for matching grants that can be used with our battlefield appeals. In most cases the giving power of your donations will be magnified many times over.</p>
<p><strong>2010 HIGHLIGHTS</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>$20 to $1 Match at Spring Hill</li>
<li>$116 to $1 Match at Brandy Station</li>
<li>$4.13 to $1 at Gettysburg-Power&#8217;s Hill</li>
<li>$10 to $1 at Second Manassas</li>
</ul>
<p>As an organization we are proud of all that we&#8217;ve been able to accomplish in 2010, but all of these accomplishments would be impossible if it was not for the support that we receive from you.</p>
<p>Jim Lighthizer<br />
President, CWPT</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">###</p>
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		<title>Our Gettysburg Legacy &#8211; A Must See Video</title>
		<link>http://thismightyscourge.com/2010/08/31/our-gettysburg-legacy-a-must-see-video/</link>
		<comments>http://thismightyscourge.com/2010/08/31/our-gettysburg-legacy-a-must-see-video/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 01 Sep 2010 01:40:27 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michael Noirot</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Call to Action]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Civil War Preservation Trust]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Battle of Gettysburg]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Civil War Battlefield Preservation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Civil War Battlefields]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[David McCullough]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ken Burns]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Matthew Broderick]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[No Casino Gettysburg]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Our Gettysburg Legacy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sam Waterston]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Stephen Lang]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://thismightyscourge.com/?p=3866</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Today, the Pennsylvania Gaming Commission held a hearing on the proposed casino in Gettysburg.  The fight is definitely not over and the Civil War Preservation Trust needs your support to fight this abomination.  There is no reason to build this &#8230; <a class="more-link" href="http://thismightyscourge.com/2010/08/31/our-gettysburg-legacy-a-must-see-video/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Today, the Pennsylvania Gaming Commission held a hearing on the proposed casino in Gettysburg.  The fight is definitely not over and the <a title="Civil War Preservation Trust" href="http://www.civilwar.org/" target="_blank">Civil War Preservation Trust</a> needs your support to fight this abomination.  There is no reason to build this casino adjacent to one of the most hallowed pieces of ground in the United States.  There are several other cities competing to have this casino &#8211; let it go anywhere but Gettysburg.</p>
<p>The following linked video, &#8220;Our Gettysburg Legacy,&#8221; was played during today&#8217;s hearing.  Many famous celebrities volunteered their time to make the video.  Please click on the <a title="Our Gettysburg Legacy" href="http://www.civilwar.org/video/our-gettysburg-legacy.html" target="_blank">link</a> and watch the video.  If you are able to donate to the Civil War Preservation Trust for this campaign, click <a title="Donate to the Stop the Gettysburg Gettysburg Campaign" href="http://www.civilwar.org/take-action/speak-out/gettysburg/" target="_blank"><em><strong>HERE</strong></em></a>.  United, we can win &#8211; Divided we WILL lose.  God Bless the USA.</p>
<p>&#8220;<a title="Our Gettysburg Legacy video" href="http://www.civilwar.org/video/our-gettysburg-legacy.html" target="_blank"><em><strong>Our Gettysburg Legacy</strong></em></a>&#8221; featuring Ken Burns, Matthew Broderick, Sam Waterston, Stephen Lang, David McCullough and others.</p>
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		<title>Civil War Preservation Trust -Brandy Station 2010 Campaign</title>
		<link>http://thismightyscourge.com/2010/07/29/civil-war-preservation-trust-brandy-station-2010-campaign/</link>
		<comments>http://thismightyscourge.com/2010/07/29/civil-war-preservation-trust-brandy-station-2010-campaign/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 29 Jul 2010 11:11:16 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michael Noirot</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Announcements]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Call to Action]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Cavalry Battles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Civil War Preservation Trust]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Battle of Brandy Station]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Civil War]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Civil War Battlefield Preservation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Civil War Battlefields]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CWPT]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Eric J Wittenberg]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Eric Wittenberg]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://thismightyscourge.com/?p=3696</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Good morning folks!  The Civil War Preservation Trust has announced its Brandy Station 2010 Campaign.  This is a great opportunity to save nearly 800 acres of this hallowed ground.  Brandy Station was the site of many engagements during the Civil &#8230; <a class="more-link" href="http://thismightyscourge.com/2010/07/29/civil-war-preservation-trust-brandy-station-2010-campaign/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Good morning folks!  The <a title="Civil War Preservation Trust" href="http://www.civilwar.org/" target="_blank">Civil War Preservation Trust</a> has announced its <a title="Donate to the CWPT's Brandy Station 2010 Campaign" href="http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/brandystation/brandy-station-2010/" target="_blank">Brandy Station 2010 Campaign</a>.  This is a great opportunity to save nearly 800 acres of this hallowed ground.  Brandy Station was the site of many engagements during the Civil War.  It also was the site of the largest cavalry battle in North America in June 1863.  This amazing preservation opportunity has a $116 to $1 donation match.  For every $85 donated to the CWPT an acre will be saved.  This is truly amazing.  There is no better time to donate for battlefield preservation.</p>
<p>Click <a title="Donate to the Brandy Station 2010 Campaign!" href="http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/brandystation/brandy-station-2010/" target="_blank"><em><strong>HERE</strong></em></a> to make your donation!</p>
<p>Click <a title="Mike's essay on the Battle of Brandy Station" href="http://wp.me/ppYu1-jf" target="_blank"><em><strong>HERE</strong></em></a> to view my Battle of Brandy Station essay from last year.</p>
<p>Click <a title="Interview with Eric Wittenberg, author of &quot;The Battle of Brandy Station&quot;" href="http://wp.me/ppYu1-SD" target="_blank"><em><strong>HERE</strong></em></a> to listen to my interview with <a title="Eric's blog" href="http://civilwarcavalry.com/" target="_blank">Eric J. Wittenberg</a>, author of &#8220;The Battle of Brandy Station.&#8221;</p>
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		<title>News From the Civil War Preservation Trust: Most Endangered Battlefields</title>
		<link>http://thismightyscourge.com/2010/05/20/news-from-the-civil-war-preservation-trust-most-endangered-battlefields/</link>
		<comments>http://thismightyscourge.com/2010/05/20/news-from-the-civil-war-preservation-trust-most-endangered-battlefields/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 20 May 2010 19:38:04 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michael Noirot</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Call to Action]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Civil War Preservation Trust]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Battle of Cedar Creek]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Battle of Crampton's Gap]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Battle of Fort Stevens]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Battle of Gettysburg]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Battle of Picacho Peak]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Battle of Pickett's Mill]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Battle of Richmond]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Battle of Richmond Kentucky]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Battle of Richmond KY]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Battle of South Mountain]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Battle of the Wilderness]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Battle of Thoroughfare Gap]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Camp Allegheny]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Civil War]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Civil War Battlefield Preservation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Civil War Battlefields]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fort Stevens]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[History Under Siege]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[James Lighthizer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jeff Shaara]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mark Snell]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Wilderness]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://thismightyscourge.com/?p=3438</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Recently the Civil War Preservation Trust released its list of the most endangered Civil War battlefields.  It should be no surprise that the Gettysburg and the Wilderness battlefields lead the list –  however, there are some new additions this year.  &#8230; <a class="more-link" href="http://thismightyscourge.com/2010/05/20/news-from-the-civil-war-preservation-trust-most-endangered-battlefields/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Recently the <a title="Civil War Preservation Trust" href="http://www.civilwar.org/" target="_blank">Civil War Preservation Trust</a> released its list of the most endangered Civil War battlefields.  It should be no surprise that the Gettysburg and the Wilderness battlefields lead the list –  however, there are some new additions this year.  Below is the press release that was sent out recently to CWPT members.</p>
<p>******************************************</p>
<p><strong>EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE UNTIL</strong><br />
10:00 a.m. EDT, May 13, 2010</p>
<p>For more information, contact:<br />
Mary Koik, CWPT, (202) 367-1861 x7231<br />
Beth Newburger, Epoch, (571) 436-0887</p>
<p><strong>Civil War Preservation Trust Releases Annual Report on Nation&#8217;s Most Endangered Battlefields</strong></p>
<p><strong>Best-Selling Author Jeff Shaara Joins Trust to Unveil “History Under Siege” Report</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/battlefieldportraits/4626922606/in/set-72157624106726530/" target="_blank"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-3441" style="margin: 3px;" title="Gettysburg National Military Park" src="http://thismightyscourge.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Gettysburg-National-Military-Parkt.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="171" /></a>(Washington D.C.) &#8211; The iconic Pennsylvania battlefield synonymous with American valor, now facing a second attempt to bring casino gambling to its doorstep; a Virginia crossroads where a single marching order set the Union army on the road to victory, now proposed for a monstrous commercial development; and a rocky Arizona spire where Confederate and Union forces fiercely faced off, now jeopardized by state budget cuts; are some of the nation’s most endangered Civil War battlefields.</p>
<p>At a news conference held at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., the Civil War Preservation Trust (CWPT) unveiled its annual report on the status of the nation’s historic battlegrounds.  The report, entitled History Under Siege™: A Guide to America’s Most Endangered Civil War Battlefields, identifies the most threatened Civil War sites in the United States and what can be done to save them.</p>
<p>“All across the country, our nation’s irreplaceable battlefields – these tangible links to our shared history – are threatened by inappropriate development, misguided public policy, limited financial resources and, in some cases, simple apathy,” said CWPT President James Lighthizer at the report’s unveiling.  “Next year marks the Sesquicentennial of the bloodiest conflict in our nation’s history, and as we prepare for that seminal moment, it is an opportune time to shine a spotlight on the places that tell America’s story.”</p>
<p>Joining Lighthizer at the news conference was best-selling author Jeff Shaara, who also serves on the CWPT Board of Trustees.  The author of nine New York Times bestsellers, Shaara’s novels, including the Civil War-themed Gods and Generals and The Last Full Measure, have been praised by historians for their painstaking research.  His  only non-fiction work, Jeff Shaara’s Civil War Battlefields,  is a unique and personal tour across ten of America’s most hallowed battlegrounds.  In testament to his commitment to historic preservation, Shaara donated the entire advance from the project toward battlefield protection efforts.</p>
<p>“Nothing creates an emotional connection between present and past like walking in the footsteps of our Civil War soldiers,” said Shaara.  “I hope that by drawing attention to endangered Civil War battlefields, Americans will this see hallowed ground in a new way and understand that these sites must be preserved for future generations to experience.”</p>
<p>Also taking the podium at the news conference was Dr. Mark Snell, director of the George Tyler Moore Center for the Study of the Civil War at Shepherd University.  A Civil War scholar and retired army officer, Snell was appointed to the West Virginia Sesquicentennial of the Civil War Commission last summer by Governor Joe Manchin, and was subsequently elected vice-chairman.</p>
<p>“Particularly on the eve of the Civil War’s 150th anniversary, there is no more fitting commemoration of American valor than respectfully protecting the land where our soldiers fought and bled,” said Snell.</p>
<p>For three days in the summer of 1863, 160,000 men in blue and gray fought the Civil War’s largest and bloodiest battle around the crossroads town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. In 2006, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board rejected a proposal to build a slots parlor near Gettysburg’s East Cavalry Field, citing widespread public opposition to the plan. However, earlier this year the same chief investor rolled the dice again and announced plans for another Gettysburg <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/battlefieldportraits/4626922560/in/set-72157624106726530/" target="_blank"><img class="alignright size-full wp-image-3439" style="margin: 3px;" title="The Wilderness National Battlefield Park" src="http://thismightyscourge.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/The-Wilderness-National-Battlefield-Parkt.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="148" /></a>casino.  Although smaller than the previous proposal, this casino would be only one half-mile from Gettysburg National Military Park.</p>
<p>In May 1864, Union Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant’s bloody Overland Campaign began in a tangled mass of second-growth trees and scrub known as the Wilderness, Virginia.  When portions of Grant’s army attacked elements of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee’s army on May 5, 1864, it was the first time the two legendary commanders met in battle.  In August 2009, the Orange County, Va. Board of Supervisors approved a massive commercial center featuring a Walmart and four retailers at the gateway to the historic battlefield.  A lawsuit to block the project is pending.</p>
<p>While most of the battles of the Civil War took place on southern soil, Confederate and Union forces engaged in their westernmost struggle at Picacho Pass, Arizona, on April 15, 1862.  Confederate Capt. Sherod Hunter raised his flag in the small, frontier settlement of Tucson, hoping to take another step toward the Pacific and the creation of an ocean-to-ocean Confederacy.  The Confederate rangers were met by a detachment of Union cavalry under the leadership of Lt. James Barrett near Picacho Peak, a rocky spire 50 miles northwest of Tucson.  Although Picacho Peak State Park is a popular tourist destination, it will close to the public on June 3, 2010, due to drastic cuts in the state budget – less than one year before the sesquicentennial of the war.</p>
<p>The Civil War Preservation Trust is the nation’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving our nation’s endangered Civil War battlefields and to promoting appreciation of these hallowed grounds through education and heritage tourism.  History Under Siege is composed of two parts; one identifying the 10 most endangered battlefields in the nation, and a second section lists 15 additional “at risk” sites also confronted by serious threats.  Sites discussed in the report range from the famous to the nearly forgotten, but at least part of each site is in danger of being lost forever.  Battlefields were chosen based on geographic location, military significance, and the immediacy of current threats.</p>
<p><strong>History Under Siege™ also includes:</strong></p>
<p><strong>Camp Allegheny, W.Va., December 15, 1861:</strong> Early in the war, North and South both strove to gain control over the western counties of Virginia, meeting in a number of engagements among the peaks and valleys of the Appalachian Mountains.  Today, the scenic beauty of Camp Allegheny, West Virginia stands to be compromised by a field of 40-story-high wind turbines — 100 feet taller than the Statue of Liberty — to be built within view of the battlefield.</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/battlefieldportraits/4626315115/in/set-72157624106726530/" target="_blank"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-3440" style="margin: 3px;" title="Cedar Creek Battlefield" src="http://thismightyscourge.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Cedar-Creek-Battlefieldt.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="171" /></a>Cedar Creek, Va., October 19, 1864:</strong> In the fall of 1864, Union Maj. Gen. Philip Sheridan marched up the fertile Shenandoah Valley, stripping the countryside bare to starve out Confederate forces.  After a daring Confederate surprise attack at Cedar Creek, Union forces launched a crushing counterattack, extinguishing the South’s last hope of recovering the Valley.  In 2008, the Frederick County Board of Supervisors approved a massive expansion of the mine operating adjacent to Cedar Creek, which would destroy nearly 400 acres of battlefield land crucial to telling the story of this decisive struggle.</p>
<p><strong>Fort Stevens, Washington, D.C., July 11-12, 1864: </strong> Fort Stevens was part of an extensive ring of fortifications surrounding Civil War Washington, but in July 1864 those defenses were vulnerable to a direct attack by Confederate forces under Lt. Gen. Jubal Early.  President Abraham Lincoln, watching the action from Fort Stevens, came under fire from sharpshooters.  Last year, a church adjacent to the fort applied for a zoning <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/battlefieldportraits/4626315219/in/set-72157624106726530/" target="_blank"><img class="alignright size-full wp-image-3442" style="margin: 3px;" title="Pickett's Mill Battlefield State Park" src="http://thismightyscourge.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Picketts-Mill-Battlefield-State-Parkt.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="160" /></a>exemption to build an immense community center complex.  The new construction would tower over the fort, significantly degrading the visitor experience.</p>
<p><strong>Pickett&#8217;s Mill, Ga., May 27, 1864:</strong> The Battle of Pickett’s Mill was one of the most stinging Union defeats of the 1864 Atlanta Campaign and the first serious check on Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman’s momentous campaign against this Confederate transportation center.  Although Pickett’s Mill Battlefield State Historic Site is widely regarded as thoroughly preserved and interpreted, the park was forced to reduce its hours significantly due to budget cuts, and last autumn it was inundated by floodwaters that destroyed footbridges and a portion of the historic mill.</p>
<p><strong>Richmond, Ky., August 29-30, 1862:</strong> Confederate Maj. Gen. Kirby Smith’s newly-dubbed “Army of Kentucky”—a <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/battlefieldportraits/4626315015/in/set-72157624106726530/" target="_blank"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-3443" style="margin: 3px;" title="Richmond KY Battlefield" src="http://thismightyscourge.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Richmond-KY-Battlefieldt.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="161" /></a>bearded, shoeless band of rebel soldiers — marched north in the soaring heat of August 1862 and encountered a hastily-formed Union force led by Maj. Gen. William Nelson.  The ensuing battle became one of the most decisive Confederate victories of the Civil War.  Although the battlefield has been well protected to date, future preservation efforts will be complicated by the addition of a new highway interchange, paving the way for significant commercial growth in an area that has previously experienced little development pressure.</p>
<p><strong>South Mountain, Md., September 14, 1862:</strong> In early September 1862, Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee launched an audacious invasion of the North.  But when a copy of his orders was discovered by Union soldiers in a field, wrapped around cigars, federal commanders were able to move quickly against the vulnerable Confederates at the Battle of South Mountain.  In December 2008, <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/battlefieldportraits/4626315061/in/set-72157624106726530/" target="_blank"><img class="alignright size-full wp-image-3444" style="margin: 3px;" title="South Mountain Battlefield" src="http://thismightyscourge.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/South-Mountain-Battlefieldt.jpg" alt="" width="133" height="237" /></a>Dominion Power purchased 135 acres of battlefield land for a proposed $55 million natural gas compression station, a plan that has been subsequently suspended with an option to re-file.</p>
<p><strong>Thoroughfare Gap, Va., August 28, 1862:</strong> Although a relatively small engagement, the Battle of Thoroughfare Gap was of immense strategic significance, setting the stage for the battles of Second Manassas and, ultimately, Antietam.  In February, consultants began seeking comments from the preservation community regarding a proposal to build a 150-foot-tall communications tower within the core battlefield area at Thoroughfare Gap.  Although construction of Interstate 66 in the 1960s saw portions of the mountain gap widened, the area retains much of its rural, scenic beauty.</p>
<p>With 55,000 members, CWPT is the largest nonprofit battlefield preservation organization in the United States.  Its mission is to preserve our nation’s endangered Civil War battlefields and to promote appreciation of these hallowed grounds.  CWPT has preserved more than 29,000 acres of battlefield land across the nation. CWPT’s website is <a href="http://www.civilwar.org">www.civilwar.org</a>.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">###</p>
<p>(For additional materials, visit us online at <a href="http://www.civilwar.org/historyundersiege">http://www.civilwar.org/historyundersiege</a>)</p>
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		<title>Interview with Eric J. Wittenberg, author of &#8220;The Battle of Brandy Station&#8221;</title>
		<link>http://thismightyscourge.com/2010/05/16/interview-with-eric-j-wittenberg-author-of-the-battle-of-brandy-station/</link>
		<comments>http://thismightyscourge.com/2010/05/16/interview-with-eric-j-wittenberg-author-of-the-battle-of-brandy-station/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 16 May 2010 16:28:46 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michael Noirot</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Book Reviews]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Cavalry Battles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Cavalry Raids]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Civil War Preservation Trust]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Interviews]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Author Interviews]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Battle of Brandy Station]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Civil War]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Eric J Wittenberg]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Eric Wittenberg]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The History Press]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://thismightyscourge.com/?p=3387</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I recently finished reading Eric J. Wittenberg&#8217;s newest book, “The Battle of Brandy Station.”  Thoroughly researched and well written, the book is up to the high standards that Wittenberg has established with his previous titles on Civil War cavalry.  Jim &#8230; <a class="more-link" href="http://thismightyscourge.com/2010/05/16/interview-with-eric-j-wittenberg-author-of-the-battle-of-brandy-station/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="line-height: 14.25pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/battlefieldportraits/3960198644/" target="_blank"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-3388" style="margin: 3px;" title="Eric J. Wittenberg - Attorney, Author and Historian" src="http://thismightyscourge.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Eric-J.-Wittenbergt.jpg" alt="" width="175" height="242" /></a>I recently finished reading Eric J. Wittenberg&#8217;s newest book, “<a title="Eric Wittenberg - The Battle of Brandy Station" href="http://www.ericwittenberg.com/TBOBS.html" target="_blank">The Battle of Brandy Station</a>.”  Thoroughly researched and well written, the book is up to the high standards that Wittenberg has established with his previous titles on Civil War cavalry.  <a title="Jim Lighthizer at CivilWar.org" href="http://www.civilwar.org/aboutus/meet-the-team/cwpt-board-of-directors/o-james-lighthizer.html" target="_blank">Jim Lighthizer</a>, president of the <a title="Civil War Preservation Trust" href="http://www.civilwar.org/" target="_blank">Civil War Preservation Trust</a>, penned the foreword for the book.</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 14.25pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';">“The Battle of Brandy Station” starts quickly with background information on events following the debacle of US Major General Joe Hooker&#8217;s Battle of Chancellorsville.  The author next discusses the changes in command of the Federal Cavalry Corps that took place when US Major General George Stoneman takes sick leave and is replaced by Major General Alfred Pleasanton who will command the cavalry until he is replaced by Major General Philip Sheridan prior to the Overland Campaign.  A brief amount of space is next given to Pleasanton&#8217;s actions in the Northern Neck of Virginia that the author explains provides a boost in morale for the Federal mounted arm.</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 14.25pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';">Next, Wittenberg provides expert appraisals of the cavalry commanders.  In this discussion, he provides his reviews on Pleasanton, J.E.B. Stuart, John Buford, David Gregg, Alfred Duffié, Charles Whiting, W.H.F. “Rooney” Lee, Wade Hampton, William E. “Grumble” Jones and Beverly Robertson.  I found this analysis fascinating.  It provided me the background knowledge I needed to understand the strengths and weaknesses of each commander and how they impacted their actions at Brandy Station.</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 14.25pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1596297824?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=thimigsco-20&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=1596297824" target="_blank"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-3389" style="margin: 3px;" title="Buy &quot;The Battle of Brandy Station&quot; at Amazon.com" src="http://thismightyscourge.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Buy-Battle-of-Brandy-Station.jpg" alt="" width="100" height="160" /></a>No narrative of Brandy Station would be complete without a discussion on J.E.B. Stuart&#8217;s grand reviews.  The last grand review took place on June 8, the day before the battle, with Robert E. Lee in attendance.  Wittenberg describes in detail Stuart&#8217;s reviews and the controversy surrounding them.  I found “Grumble” Jones&#8217; reaction to the final grand review particularly interesting.</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 14.25pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';">Wittenberg next moves to the tactical actions of the battle.  Brandy Station is fascinating because of the complexity of the action.  The author is able to make you feel as if you are taking part in the charges, all the while keeping the actions framed in the larger scope of battle.  While complex, Wittenberg breaks the battle down into easily understood segments, each being given their own chapter:</span></p>
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<div style="line-height: 14.25pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';">Chapter 6 –  Buford&#8217;s Assault and the Death of Grimes Davis</span></div>
</li>
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<div style="line-height: 14.25pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';">Chapter 7 –  The Fight for the Guns at St. James Church</span></div>
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<div style="line-height: 14.25pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';">Chapter 8 –  The Action Shifts (a description of the fight on Rooney Lee&#8217;s front)</span></div>
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<div style="line-height: 14.25pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';">Chapter 9 –  Gregg&#8217;s Command Arrives</span></div>
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<div style="line-height: 14.25pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';">Chapter 10 –  The Fight for Fleetwood Hill</span></div>
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<div style="line-height: 14.25pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';">Chapter 11 –  The Duel on Yew Ridge</span></div>
</li>
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<div style="line-height: 14.25pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';">Chapter 12 –  Duffié at Stevensburg</span></div>
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<div style="line-height: 14.25pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';">Chapter 13 –  The Great Battle Ends</span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<p style="line-height: 14.25pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';">The final chapter provides the author&#8217;s expert analysis of the battle.  As you would expect from one of the foremost authorities on Civil War cavalry, Wittenberg is able to wrap up all the loose ends and put them in one nice tidy package of eleven pages that places North America&#8217;s largest cavalry engagement in context with previous actions and the upcoming Gettysburg Campaign.  The epilogue, “A Tale of Two Soldiers,” is very enjoyable and makes the book even more valuable to any Civil War student.</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 14.25pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';">While often overlooked by readers, the appendix&#8217;s of the “Battle of Brandy Station,” provide additional useful information on the battle.</span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 14.25pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';">Appendix A –  Order of Battle</span></div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 14.25pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';">Appendix B –  A Walking and Driving Tour of the Battle of Brandy Station (the author includes GPS coordinates for points of interest making this quite valuable for anyone planning a trip to the battlefield)</span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<p style="line-height: 14.25pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';">I highly recommend “<a title="'Purchase" href="http://www.ericwittenberg.com/TBOBS.html" target="_blank">The Battle of Brandy Station</a>” for any serious student of the Civil War.  It provides more than enough detail for the avid reader while at the same time providing the necessary background information for the casual reader.  For more information on Eric Wittenberg, or to purchase his books, check out his website by clicking <em><strong><a title="EricWittenberg.com" href="http://www.ericwittenberg.com/index.html" target="_blank">HERE</a></strong></em>.</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 14.25pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';">I recently had the opportunity to speak with Eric about “The Battle of Brandy Station.”  In this 75 minute interview Wittenberg speaks candidly about his newest book.  It is quite revealing and highlights his expert knowledge on Civil War cavalry.  I have edited the interview into smaller segments that allow you to listen at your leisure and return to the next part without losing your place.  This is my second interview with Eric.  Last September I spoke with him about his book, “<a title="'Purchase" href="http://www.ericwittenberg.com/LAMBB.html" target="_blank">Like a Meteor Blazing Brightly: The Short but Controversial Life of Colonel Ulric Dahlgren</a>.”  You can listen to this interview by clicking <a title="Interview with Eric J. Wittenberg on &quot;Like a Meteor Blazing Brightly&quot;" href="http://wp.me/ppYu1-tn" target="_blank"><strong><em>HERE</em></strong></a>.</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 14.25pt;">
<p style="line-height: 14.25pt;"><strong>Details about “The Battle of Brandy Station”</strong><br />
Written by: <a title="EricWittenberg.com" href="http://www.ericwittenberg.com/" target="_blank">Eric J. Wittenberg</a><br />
Paperback: 272 pages<br />
Publisher: <a title="The History Press" href="http://www.historypress.net/" target="_blank">The History Press</a><br />
Date of First Edition: March 2010<br />
ISBN-10: 159629782</p>
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<p style="line-height: 14.25pt;"><strong>Eric J. Wittenberg Interview – 11 Parts</strong><br />
“The Battle of Brandy Station”<br />
Interview Date: May 10, 2010<br />
Total Time: 1 hour 14 minutes 07 seconds</p>
<p style="line-height: 14.25pt;"><strong>Part 1:</strong> <a href="http://thismightyscourge.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Eric-Wittenberg-Interview-Pt-1.mp3">Eric Wittenberg Interview Part 1</a><br />
Time: 6:17<br />
Contents: Welcome and introductions | How Eric got involved with The History Press | Why write about Brandy Station? | The Battle of Chancellorsville and the lead up to Brandy Station | The raids on the Northern Neck of Virginia in May 1863 | About Alfred Pleasanton</p>
<p><strong>Part 2:</strong> <a href="http://thismightyscourge.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Eric-Wittenberg-Interview-Pt-2.mp3">Eric Wittenberg Interview Part 2</a><br />
Time: 8:23<br />
Contents: Federal cavalry scouting in Culpeper County, Virginia | US Major General Joe Hooker’s concerns about a Confederate cavalry raid in Northern Virginia | The Federal failure to detect Robert E. Lee’s movement to the north | Hooker is again plagued by indecisiveness | The tactical deployment of the opposing cavalry forces | Pleasanton’s intelligence is flawed with regards to the position of Stuart’s cavalry | Pleasanton’s tactical plan</p>
<p><strong>Part 3:</strong> <a href="http://thismightyscourge.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Eric-Wittenberg-Interview-Pt-3.mp3">Eric Wittenberg Interview Part 3</a><br />
Time: 6:10<br />
Contents: Wittenberg’s assessment of J.E.B. Stuart and a comparison to Alfred Pleasanton | Stuart’s actions during the Battle of Brandy Station | An assessment and background of US Brigadier General John Buford</p>
<p><strong>Part 4:</strong> <a href="http://thismightyscourge.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Eric-Wittenberg-Interview-Pt-4.mp3">Eric Wittenberg Interview Part 4</a><br />
Time: 7:52<br />
Contents: Wittenberg’s assessment of Pleasanton’s subordinate commanders | J.E.B. Stuart passed over for infantry corps command</p>
<p><strong>Part 5:</strong> <a href="http://thismightyscourge.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Eric-Wittenberg-Interview-Pt-5.mp3">Eric Wittenberg Interview Part 5</a><br />
Time: 5:46<br />
Contents: Eric’s assessment of J.E.B. Stuart’s brigade commanders | J.E.B. Stuart’s final cavalry review – did it provide essential intelligence for Pleasanton? Was this intelligence properly used?</p>
<p><strong>Part 6:</strong> <a href="http://thismightyscourge.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Eric-Wittenberg-Interview-Pt-6.mp3">Eric Wittenberg Interview Part 6</a><br />
Time: 8:04<br />
Contents: Pleasanton’s use of infantry units | How did Pleasanton not know the disposition of Stuart’s forces? | The Battle of Brandy Station opens on Buford’s front | The death of Benjamin “Grimes” Davis | The gallant charge of the 6th Pennsylvania and 6th U.S. Regular cavalry against Beckham’s cannons</p>
<p><strong>Part 7:</strong> <a href="http://thismightyscourge.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Eric-Wittenberg-Interview-Pt-7.mp3">Eric Wittenberg Interview Part 7</a><br />
Time: 6:24<br />
Contents: Eric’s use of firsthand accounts and how he approaches his research | The arrival of David Gregg’s Federal cavalry division | John Buford’s frustration at being held back | J.E.B. Stuart reacts to Gregg’s attack | Beverly Robertson’s Confederate brigade’s performance at Kelly’s Ford</p>
<p><strong>Part 8:</strong> <a href="http://thismightyscourge.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Eric-Wittenberg-Interview-Pt-8.mp3">Eric Wittenberg Interview Part 8</a><br />
Time: 6:40<br />
Contents: The battle for Fleetwood Hill | The charges of the 1st New Jersey and 1st Pennsylvania cavalry regiments | Captain Joseph Martin’s Federal artillery endures an attack by the 6th Virginia Cavalry and the 35th Virginia Cavalry Battalion | The actions of Pierce Young’s CSA Cobb’s Legion at St. James Church and Fleetwood Hill | The actions of Calvin Douty’s 1st Maine Cavalry at Fleetwood Hill</p>
<p><strong>Part 9:</strong> <a href="http://thismightyscourge.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Eric-Wittenberg-Interview-Pt-9.mp3">Eric Wittenberg Interview Part 9</a><br />
Time: 7:27<br />
Contents: A description of the fight for Fleetwood Hill | Lunsford Lomax’s 11th Virginia attacks Martin’s Federal battery – Martin’s gunners valiant effort to save their guns | Buford’s division is turned loose against Rooney Lee’s Confederate cavalry brigade | The 3d Wisconsin and 2d Massachusetts infantry attempts to flank Rooney Lee | The 6th Pennsylvania and 6th U.S. cavalry and the duel for Yew’s Ridge | 2d U.S. Cavalry goes into the fight | Rooney Lee commits his reserve and is wounded by Captain Wesley Merritt | Thomas Munford’s troopers (Fitzhugh Lee’s brigade) arrive on the field in time to rescue Rooney Lee | Buford’s retreat across the Rappahannock River</p>
<p><strong>Part 10:</strong> <a href="http://thismightyscourge.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Eric-Wittenberg-Interview-Pt-10.mp3">Eric Wittenberg Interview Part 10</a><br />
Time: 7:17<br />
Contents: Alfred Duffié finally arrives | The death of Will Farley and Frank Hampton | An analysis of Alfred Duffié | The implications of battle on the home front | The maturation of the Federal mounted arm | An analysis of the Battle of Brandy Station and its implications during the Gettysburg Campaign</p>
<p><strong>Part 11:</strong> <a href="http://thismightyscourge.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Eric-Wittenberg-Interview-Pt-11.mp3">Eric Wittenberg Interview Part 11</a><br />
Time: 3:47<br />
Contents: Future projects Wittenberg is working on | Wrap up and closing</p>
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