Help Preserve History at Five Critical Battlefield Sites

We have the exciting opportunity to preserve five parcels of historic land for a total of 278 acres across three states. These crucial locations include the site of one of the largest battles ever fought on North Carolina soil.

Thanks to matched funds from generous partners, we have raised over $2,900,000 to preserve this crucial land. Now, we are calling on our reinforcements to raise the last $62,500 to secure these properties.

Please donate today to preserve history at five critical battlefield tracts.  All donations made to this effort will be matched $50 to $1. This means that for every dollar you donate, it will be worth $50 toward the value of preserving these battlefields forever.

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The History

Battle of Bentonville

The first two tracts add up to 71 acres at Bentonville, North Carolina.

On the first day of the battle at Bentonville, Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston and his war-battered troops did their best to stand up to Union Major General William T. Sherman’s relentless march.

Their surprise attack gave Sherman’s forces more than they expected. But these were the waning days of the Civil War, and no reinforcements were coming. Johnston’s remnant of ragtag forces was outnumbered by more than four-to-one, their supplies had been cut off, and they were even running out of bullets. Today, we can help our partners preserve forever two tracts at Bentonville totaling 71 acres, allowing us to better tell the story of a concluding chapter of the war.

Battle of Goldsborough Bridge

The third tract is 56 acres at Goldsborough Bridge, North Carolina.

In December 1862, as Union General Ambrose Burnside prepared to attack Confederate forces in Fredericksburg, Union General John G. Foster made his way toward the important railroad intersection near Goldsborough, with plans to destroy the Wilmington & Weldon railroad bridge and cut off Confederate supply lines into the state of Virginia.

Though small bands of Confederate forces, including Thomas L. Clingman’s North Carolina Infantry put up admirable resistance, Foster’s men succeeded in their mission and destroyed the bridge.

Now the parcel for sale was listed as “perfect for light industrial” and “zoned for trucks.” If we don’t act now, the ground that bears witness to this important story of the Civil War could be lost forever.

Battle of Shepherdstown

The fourth and largest tract is 150 acres at Shepherdstown, West Virginia.

Following the carnage at the Battle of Antietam in September 1862, Federal forces attempted to pursue their Confederate counterparts into Virginia, but were stymied along the banks of the Potomac River where General A.P. Hill’s division inflicted heavy casualties on the Union troops crossing the river.  

By saving this land in perpetuity, we ensure that the legacies of those soldiers will not be forgotten.

Battle of Nashville

The last tract is 1 acre at Shy’s Hill in Nashville, Tennessee.

Shy’s Hill represents some of the last movements in the Battle of Nashville in December 1864, when Federal troops finally broke the Confederate line on the left flank, and effectively ended the war in Tennessee.

This 1-acre parcel gives crucial insight into the final stages of the conflict that defined America’s first hundred years. Being driven off Shy’s Hill, Confederate forces in Tennessee made their final retreat, and just a few months later, Lee would surrender at Appomattox, Virginia, and Johnston would surrender Confederate forces at Bennett Place, North Carolina, including what was left of his old Army of Tennessee.

Help Save Five Battlefield Tracts in Three States

Thanks to our partners and thanks to YOU, we are so much more. We are a force to be reckoned with... Please help us raise $62,500 to save five threatened battlefield tracts representing four crucial campaigns in three states.  

Remember, every dollar you donate to this cause will be matched $50 to $1!

Donate now