Americans for Battlefield Preservation

Two hundred and forty-eight years ago, the Continental Army was defeated by the British at the Battle of Brooklyn, allowing for the British to occupy New York City for the remainder of the Revolution. Due to its economic and strategic importance, Gen. George Washington attempted to fortify the city against invasion. But by exploiting gaps in their defenses, the British forced an American retreat along the banks of the Hudson River at Brooklyn Heights. Besieged on all sides, Washington chose not to surrender to the British and evacuated his army to Manhattan. This decision saved the defeated Continental Army and the patriot cause, allowing them to fight another day for liberty. Brooklyn would become the largest battle of the war.

The battle earned Maryland its famous “the Old-Line State” nickname in commemoration of the 1st Maryland Regiment's rear-guard actions. The “Maryland 400,” actually numbering around 270, charged the 2,000 British soldiers twice as the Continental Army crossed the Hudson. At the end of battle, the regiment lost 256 men, with fewer than a dozen returning to Washington’s lines. The brave sacrifices of these Marylanders allowed their comrades to fight for liberty another day.

Learn more about the Battle of Brooklyn at the link below!

Brooklyn George Washington’s efforts to fortify New York City from a British attack led to the Revolutionary War’s biggest battle. The crushing defeat for the...

This Sunday, spend an afternoon touring Princeton Battlefield State Park and learn more about the 1777 battle! This historic battle concluded what historians refer to as the “Ten Crucial Days” campaign and helped reinvigorate their passion for American independence, as it demonstrated that these Patriots could hold their own against British regulars in the field. Walk in the footsteps of Washington’s troops and listen to exciting narratives of soldier and civilian experiences.
Following the approximate one-hour tour, visit the historic Thomas Clarke House, the home of a Quaker farming family and the only remaining structure from the January 3, 1777, Battle of Princeton!
Learn more about this event and register online at the attached link!

Battlefield Tour August 25, 2024 - Princeton Battlefield Society Spend a Sunday afternoon at the Princeton Battlefield State Park and learn more about the Battle of Princeton, a battle that ended the “ten crucial days” of 1776-1777. Walk in…

, 160 years ago, the Battle of Gainesville was fought in the town square of Gainesville, Florida. This battle was one of the few skirmishes to reach the Sunshine State during the Civil War. As Union troops arrived in the city, they were surprised by a Confederate attack and suffered heavy casualties. Many townspeople watched the fighting from the windows of the nearby Beville house. After hearing of the Union defeat at Gainesville, Union forces fell back to garrisons at Jacksonville and St. Augustine. Confederate troops would occupy the town of Gainesville for the remainder of the War.

Learn more about Florida’s role during the Civil War at the link below!

The Role of Florida in the Civil War Florida made enormous material contributions to the Confederate war effort, relative to its population, and was the site of two minor battles, both...

Visit Antietam National Battlefield this weekend for Civil War photography demonstrations! On Saturday, learn about the wet plate collodion photographic process that Alexander Gardner used to create his iconic images of the Battle of Antietam in 1862. The following day, there will be a 3D show featuring stereographs of the bloodiest day of the Civil War presented by a park Ranger.

Learn more about this event at the link below!

Event Details (U.S. National Park Service)

162 years ago, Major General Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson defeated Union Major General John Pope at the Battle of Cedar Mountain. The battle gave the Confederacy much-needed momentum that would allow them to launch a campaign into Northern Virginia.

Earlier this summer, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin dedicated the Culpeper Battlefields State Park, which includes Cedar Mountain and three other key Civil War battlefields. This colossal preservation accomplishment, spear-headed by the American Battlefield Trust, saved 263 acres and transferred them to the Commonwealth of Virginia!

Learn more about this exciting battlefield preservation at the link below!

Culpeper Battlefields State Park is Here! Culpeper Battlefields State Park was dedicated on June 8, 2024, in a ceremony with Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin and other dignitaries. It will be...

This Sunday, join the Cedar Mountain Battlefield Foundation during their Cedar Mountain Anniversary Living History Weekend. Visitors will be treated to immersive activities designed to share stories of Civil War soldiers.

The commemorative event will be held at 9465 General Winder Road, the battlefield along James Madison Highway/Route 15 south of Culpeper. The event is open to visitors of all ages with a $10 per car admission fee.

For more information, visit the link below!

Annual Living History Event Cedar Mountain Battlefield Foundation hosts the Cedar Mountain Anniversary Living History Weekend the first weekend in August to commemorate the August 9, 1862 battle. Visitors will be able to choose from a variety of immersive activities designed to share the stories of Civil War soldiers and civil

This week’s , “My Poor Orphans! The Kentucky ‘Orphan’ Brigade” by Andy Thomas illustrates the chaos of the Battle of Stones River, which had the highest percentage of casualties for both sides during the Civil War.

The title of the painting references the apocryphal nickname of the First Kentucky Brigade. Kentucky was a neutral state during the Civil War, causing thousands of Kentuckians over the border into Tennessee to join and fight for the Confederacy. During the war, soldiers could not return home since Kentucky was behind Union lines, so they were, figuratively, orphans. The brigade saw action at Shiloh, Stones River, the Atlanta campaign and the Carolinas campaign. Although there is little evidence to support the use of the nickname during the war, in the years after, veterans of the brigade thought it was an appropriate title given their circumstances.

According to legend, at the bloody Battle of Stones River, Maj. Gen. John C. Breckenridge, the commander of the brigade, cried out “My poor orphans!” after many were decimated by Union artillery fire.

Check out the American Battlefield Trust website to learn more about the Orphan Brigade and the Battle of Stones River!

This Saturday, visit Washington Crossing State Park to watch and explore a reenactment group! The Outwater's Militia reenactment group will portray a Revolutionary War militia unit encamped at the park. See the soldiers of the militia join together and drill in preparation for action against his majesty's troops. Stoll through the encampment when the soldiers are not drilling and learn about the life and times of the Revolutionary War.

Learn more about this event at the link below!

Outwaters Militia at the Park - Ten Crucial Days Outwater’s Militia (A reenactment group, portraying a Revolutionary War militia unit) will be encamped at Washington Crossing State Park, New Jersey, on Saturday, August 3rd. Come and see the soldiers…

If you’re in the area. More great programming this weekend!

in 1861, this week’s , Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan took command of the Army of the Potomac following its defeat at the Battle of First Manassas.

Often remembered as the great organizer of the Union Army of the Potomac — among other things — "Little Mac" was immensely popular with the men who served under his command. His military command style, however, put him at odds with President Abraham Lincoln, and would ultimately upset his military and political fortunes.

McClellan began his military career after entering the United States Military Academy in 1842. He graduated second in a class of 59 in 1846, along with 20 others who would become full-rank generals during the Civil War. Appointed a brevet second lieutenant in the Corps of Engineers, McClellan served under General Winfield Scott during the Mexican-American War, helping to construct roads and bridges for the army.

At the beginning of the war, Lincoln commissioned McClellan as a major general in the Regular Army, making him one of the highest-ranked individuals in the service, second only to Winfield Scott at the time. After the defeat of General Irvin McDowell at the Battle of First Manassas, McClellan became the Commander of the Army of the Potomac, and later General-in-Chief of all Federal armies upon the retirement of General Winfield Scott in November 1861.

It was during this time that McClellan cemented his bond with the men of the Union Army. Although many politicians and generals harbored resentment toward McClellan, he was largely revered by his men. After the defeat at Manassas, much of the Army of the Potomac was unorganized, and its new commander set to work providing the men proper military training and instilling in them a remarkable esprit de corps. As he built his army, however, McClellan also became wary of Confederate forces, fearing that he faced numbers many times his own.

McClellan would lead the Army of the Potomac into many battles — including the Battle of Seven Pines, Seven Day’s Battles — but, despite managing to thwart Robert E. Lee’s plan to invade the North during the Battle of Antietam, McClellan’s trademark caution was on full display after the general denied the northern cause a decisive victory by not going after Lee’s retreating army.

After the battle, in November of that year McClellan was relieved of command for the last time and ordered back to Trenton, New Jersey to await further orders, though none ever came.

Learn more about McClellan at the attached link!

George B. McClellan Biography of George McClellan

This Friday, join Lifeline Blood Services at Shiloh National Military Park for a blood drive on the battlefield! The blood mobile will be parked in the main visitor center parking lot from 10:00 a.m. till 2:00 p.m. Those who donate will also receive a free T-shirt as thanks for their selfless act.

While at the park, explore one of the bloodiest battlefields of the Civil War which had over 23,000 casualties. Walk through the hallowed ground where Gen. Ulysses S. Grant won one of his most impressive military victories.

Learn more about this event at the link below!

Blood Drive at Shiloh Battlefield Join Lifeline Blood Services for a blood drive on the battlefield! The bloodmobile will be at Shiloh between 10:00 a.m. and 2 p.m. People who choose to...

This week’s , “Angel of the Battlefield” by Mort Künstler depicts Clara Barton, the founder of the American Red Cross, as she tends to the wounded after the Battle of Fredericksburg.

With over 12,500 Union casualties, the battle is one of the bloodiest of the Civil War. Both Union and Confederate medical sites were overrun, with soldiers and nurses suffering under terrible conditions. Barton, a volunteer nurse, was determined to save and improve the soldiers’ lives, regardless of their allegiance. Barton treated wounded Confederates with the same care that she gave to her own Union soldiers. Capt. Thurman Thomas, a wounded Confederate prisoner who was saved by Barton, was just one example of Barton’s true compassion that had no political distinction.

She stayed at Chatham, the main Union medical site in Fredericksburg, for two weeks and treated hundreds of wounded men. She earned the nickname the “Angel of the Battlefield” for her acts of charity, compassion and mercy throughout the war. After the war in 1880, Barton established the American Red Cross and served as its first president.

Learn more about this at the American Battlefield Trust website!

Join park staff at Manassas National Battlefield this Saturday as they celebrate the 163rd Anniversary of the First Battle of Manassas.

Hear the sounds of combat with music demonstrations, firing demonstrations and living history drills. Get a taste of war and experience Civil War camp cooking and taste some of the common rations of the day. See the sights of battle with living history displaying flags, uniforms and the medical services. Touch and feel the history through archaeology programs, stable call-to-groom horses and interactive kids programming. Ranger-led programs will be available throughout the weekend for real-time programming highlighting different parts of the battle, the soldiers' experiences and the aftermath of the first full-scale conflict of the war.

Learn more about his exciting opportunity at the attached link!

163rd Anniversary of First Manassas Join park staff and friends for the 163rd Anniversary of the First Battle of Manassas and experience the history through a unique sensory focused event....

in 1804, this week's , Alexander Hamilton lost a duel that claimed his life.

Born a bastard child on January 11, 1755 or 1757, on the British colonial island of Nevis in the Caribbean, Alexander Hamilton possessed a razor-sharp mind as well as an indomitable will. In the wake of the Boston Tea Party, Hamilton pursued the radical American cause by joining the Sons of Liberty. After the War for Independence broke out, Hamilton secured a commission as a captain in a New York Artillery company.

He first gained the attention of George Washington during the New York and New Jersey Campaign. Washington recognized Hamilton's fiery demeanor, command of organization, and fidelity to the cause. He became an aide-de-camp and was promoted to lieutenant colonel. Like his French counterpart Lafayette, Hamilton and Washington assumed a father-son relationship. Not suited for desk work, Hamilton yearned for a combat command and played a pivotal role during the Siege of Yorktown where he led the successful American assault on British Redoubt #10.

In 1787, he was appointed as one of the New York delegates to the Constitutional Convention. After the Constitution was drafted, he, along with Virginian James Madison, and fellow New Yorker John Jay, penned what became known as “The Federalist Papers.” This series of essays, published anonymously, argued for ratification of the Constitution.

President Washington appointed Hamilton as the first Secretary of the Treasury, where he laid the foundation for an American economic empire. He also became the de facto head of one of America's first political parties, the Federalists. Hamilton's life came to an end in 1804, when he was mortally wounded in a duel with Vice President Aaron Burr, a political rival.

The face on the $10 bill has recently captivated the public’s attention after a musical bearing his name and detailing his life has played to many sold-out audiences. Learn more about Alexander Hamilton at the attached link!

Alexander Hamilton Born a bastard (illegitimate) child on January 11, 1755 or 1757, to Scotsman James Hamilton and Rachel Fawcett Levine on the British colonial island of...

This Sunday, spend an afternoon touring Princeton Battlefield State Park and learn more about the 1777 battle! This historic battle concluded what historians refer to as the “Ten Crucial Days” campaign and helped reinvigorate the thirst for American independence, as it demonstrated that these Patriots could hold their own against British regulars in the field. Walk in the footsteps of Washington’s troops and listen to exciting narratives of soldier and civilian experiences.

Following the approximate one-hour tour, visit the historic Thomas Clarke House, the home of a Quaker farming family and the only remaining structure from the January 3, 1777, Battle of Princeton!

Learn more about this event and register online at the attached link!

Princeton Battlefield Tour Spend a Sunday afternoon at the Princeton Battlefield State Park and learn more about the Battle of Princeton, a battle that ended the “ten crucial...

Happy Independence Day!

that the greatest misconception about "Independence Day” lies in its name and associated date?

Most Americans assume that our nation declared its independence from Britain on July 4, 1776, however, the official vote by delegates to the Second Continental Congress actually took place two days prior – on July 2. John Adams even wrote to his wife Abigail that “The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival.”

Later, on July 4, the Committee of Five – made up of delegates Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman and Robert R. Livingston – presented the Congress with the finalized Declaration of Independence, and Congress approved it.

Learn more about this popular misconception at the following link!

The Path to the Declaration The path to independence started with the Continental Congress and involved several years of debate before the Declaration of Independence was drafted and...

July 1-3 marks the 161st anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg, and this week’s is one of the most popular paintings depicting the battle: “The Absolution of Gettysburg” by Bradley Schmehl.

On the second day of the battle, Union Maj. Gen. George Meade ordered the Irish Brigade into the fiercest area of the battlefield, known as the Wheatfield. The Irish Brigade was not actually a brigade but rather five regiments of 3,000 men reduced to a single regiment of 600 men after vicious fighting at the battles leading up to Gettysburg. Just before entering the battlefield, their chaplain, Rev. William Corby, mounted a boulder wearing his purple stole and offered the men absolution. As Father Corby pronounced his blessing, all nearby soldiers knelt, fell silent and bowed their heads.

Out of the 600 remaining men of the Irish Brigade, 198 died in the clash. Witnesses described the scene as the most moving moment of the war and this painting immortalizes it.

Learn more about the historic battle at the American Battlefield Trust website!

This week’s is Maj. Gen. George Meade. With the 161st anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg coming up this Monday, take a minute or two to learn more about the commander that helped secure a Union victory at one of the most significant battles of the Civil War!

Born in Spain, Meade was one of the few generals in the Civil War to be born in a foreign country. His family was financially devastated by the Napoleonic Wars, which forced them to relocate to the United States, where Meade later received an appointment to West Point (class of 1835). After, he saw action in both the Seminole War and Mexican American War before returning to topographical work in 1857.

At the outbreak of the Civil War, he answered the call to service. After helping to construct the defenses of Washington, he joined the Army of the Potomac under Gen. George McClellan. He participated in the Seven Days battles, the Battle of Second Manassas, and the battles of South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, and Chancellorsville, before his most legendary fight at Gettysburg. On June 28, 1963, Joseph Ho**er, the commander of the Army of the Potomac, resigned, giving the position to Meade just four days before Gettysburg.

Many could argue that the Battle of Gettysburg was both Meade’s greatest victory and worst mistake. While he held off Lee’s attacks with great losses and managed to destroy the Army of Northern Virginia, he failed to pursue the weakened Confederate army as they retreated. However, he was promoted to brigadier general on July 7, 1863.

Meade’s achievement was overshadowed the following spring with Ulysses S. Grant’s appointment as the general-in-chief of Union forces. For the remainder of the war, Meade served in Grant’s shadow.

Learn more about General Meade at the attached link!

George G. Meade General George Gordon Meade

Next Thursday is the Fourth of July! With Independence Day in sight, the American Battlefield Trust has put together a list of nine recommended events at national battlefields and historic sites. Festivities include fireworks at Mount Vernon, raising of the flag at Fort McHenry and a public reading of the Declaration of Independence at Saratoga National Historical Park. So, why not celebrate this day by honoring those who gave their lives at these crucial sites?! Learn more about these events and more at the link below.

Celebrate 248 Years of America's Independence at Nine Battlefields and Historic Sites (Washington, D.C.) — On a hot July day in 1776, delegates from 13 colonies unanimously adopted the Declaration of Independence. Drafted primarily by...

This week’s is Maj. Gen. James B. McPherson.

Born in Clyde, Ohio, McPherson graduated first in his class from the United States Military Academy in 1853. His class included other Civil War figures such as Philip Sheridan, the commander of the Army of the Potomac’s Cavalry Corps and John Bell Hood, McPherson’s future opponent at the Battle of Atlanta.

At the beginning of the Civil War, McPherson briefly served under General Henry Halleck before transferring to the command of Ulysses S. Grant. He proved a vital part of Grant’s army as his chief engineer. He participated in many of the Western Theater’s biggest fights, such as the Battle of Shiloh, the Vicksburg Campaign, the Battle of Rocky Face Ridge and the Battle of Atlanta.

Over the course of his time with Grant, and eventually Maj. Gen. William Sherman, he was promoted several times and reached the rank of major general by the time he was killed in action at the Battle of Atlanta. Sherman called McPherson, “a man who was... qualified to heal national strife.”

Today, McPherson is honored with his own square (and monument!) just north of the White House in Washington, D.C. Learn more about this at the link below!

James B. McPherson Biography of Civil War Union General James Birdseye McPherson

in 1775, the Second Continental Congress elected George Washington commander of the new Continental Army and issued him this commission four days later.

After the battles of Lexington and Concord, militia forces gathered outside Boston in a siege against British forces, but the militia did not have an official commander yet. New England delegates to the Second Continental Congress wanted their officers to command the army outside of Boston, but other congressmen thought that an outsider should command the army as it would make the militia a “Continental” army. Doing this would create a common cause and a sense of unity between the 13 colonies which would make the army and cause stronger.

Washington was unanimously elected Commander in Chief of the Continental Army on June 15th. His selection had more reasoning than simply creating a shared cause among the colonies. Being from the wealthiest and most populous colony, Washington’s appointment secured the much-needed participation of Virginia in the rebellion. He also was one of the only members of Congress that had direct combat experience, which he earned in the French and Indian War.

The day after his appointment, Washington said in his acceptance speech “I am truly sensible of the high Honor done to me in this Appointment... I do not think myself equal to the Command I am honored with.” Washington, while hesitant, understood that he had to rise to the occasion and lead the newly formed Continental Army.

George Washington's Military Leadership George Washington's leadership strengths and weaknesses affected the outcome of the American Revolution.

For this week’s , join Gettysburg National Military Park for the “Caring for the Wounded” ranger talk. The Battle of Gettysburg was gruesome with over 51,000 total casualties. Often referred to as the turning point of the war, there are many overlooked aspects with one being the medics and doctors of this bloody battle. Learn about how these unsung heroes rescued, treated and saved the lives of the wounded at the legendary battle.

There will be two talks daily, one at 10:30 AM and one at 3:00 PM, from June 8, 2024. Learn more about the talks at the link below!

Event Details (U.S. National Park Service)

161 years ago today, Maj. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart and Maj. Gen. Alfred Pleasonton faced off near an important rail station on the Orange & Alexandria Railroad, Brandy Station. The Battle of Brandy Station was the largest cavalry battle ever fought in North America with over 20,000 troops engaged and over 1,000 total casualties. The battle yielded an inconclusive result that slightly favored the Confederacy.

Yesterday, Culpeper Battlefields State Park — including acreage largely across the Brandy Station and Cedar Mountain battlefields — was dedicated, with several special guests, including Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin. It is Virginia’s 43rd state park, located in the heart of the bucolic Virginia Piedmont, and comprised of land that groups like the American Battlefield Trust, Brandy Station Foundation and Cedar Mountain Battlefield Foundation helped to save from various forms of unfit development. The state park was approved by the Virginia General Assembly and signed into law by Governor Youngkin in June 2022 as part of the Commonwealth’s two-year budget plan.

Interested in Brandy Station? Visit the battlefield today to celebrate its 161st anniversary! Find more details at the attached link.

161st Anniversary of the Battle of Brandy Station On June 8-9, 2024, CBT, its supporters and partners will commemorate the 161st Anniversary of the Battle of Brandy Station with a series of events....

Join Richmond National Battlefield Park for its “Lectures on the Lawn” series at Rural Plains! Tomorrow night, at the Shelton House at Rural Plains, Libby McNamee, author of “Susanna’s Midnight Ride: The Girl Who Won the Revolutionary War,” will recount the legendary story of Susanna Bolling and how she saved the Marquis de Lafayette.

In May 1781, the Revolutionary War was still balanced on both sides. General Cornwallis had invaded and occupied City Point, Virginia, just south of Richmond. One night, at dinner, while the general and his officers were being served by a young Susanna Bolling, she overheard British plans to capture Lafayette and, therefore, crush the American rebellion. Susanna knew she needed to alert Lafayette and the Continental Army, but she had to escape the British soldiers in the city. How did she manage to alert Lafayette? What happened to her after? Learn the answers to these questions and more!

Where: 7273 Studley Road Mechanicsville, VA 23116

Find more details at the link below!

Event Details (U.S. National Park Service)

160 years ago, in 1864, the Battle of Cold Harbor raged on.

In the summer of 1864, Ulysses S. Grant and the Union Army of the Potomac was fighting its way south toward Richmond, Virginia. In a series of battles collectively known as the Overland Campaign, the Federals had suffered more than 50,000 casualties but had also forced Robert E. Lee’s Confederate veterans to abandon much of northern Virginia. The small crossroads of Cold Harbor, just 10 miles north of Richmond, became the focal point of the action in late May.

The battle officially began on May 31, when, after a sharp contest with Confederate cavalry under Maj. Gen. Fitzhugh Lee, Sheridan and his troopers seized the intersection. The Confederates, in response, began building defensive trenches.

Hearing reports that Lee was extending his line to the James River, Grant was determined to extend his left flank, overpower Lee, and come between the Confederates and Richmond, all while keeping access to the James open. On June 1, after Sheridan and his men had beaten back a Confederate attack, Grant ordered forces to strike Confederate defenses that same day. However, confusion delayed the attack. A brigade from Wright’s corps briefly broke through the Confederate line, only to be pushed back by a counterattack. Meanwhile, General Meade ordered General W.S. Hancock’s Second Corps to march 12 miles overnight to provide support for another assault.

On June 2, Meade ordered an early morning attack, but objections arose. Hancock’s Second Corps, which got lost during the night march, didn’t arrive until about 6:30 a.m., persuading Meade to postpone the attack until 5:00 p.m. that day. Grant, further concerned for Hancock’s men, advised Meade to wait until June 3. Upon learning of the delay, Lee ordered his troops to construct an intricate series of entrenchments, which reinforced his position in the forested terrain.

in 1864, Union troops launched the main attack through darkness and fog, soon becoming caught in the swamps, ravines, and heavy vegetation, and losing contact with each other. With their prior-day's work, the Confederates easily enfilade the Federal ranks as they advanced. An estimated 7,000 men were killed or wounded within the first 30 minutes. Trenches are turned into a deathtrap. At 12:30 p.m., after riding the beleaguered Union lines himself, Grant suspended his attack at the advice of the corps commanders.

From June 4 to June 12, the days were filled with minor attacks, artillery duels, and sniping. On June 7, Lee and Grant agreed to a two-hour truce to allow the Federals a chance to retrieve their wounded. However, few of the wounded were found alive. Grant later wrote, "I have always regretted that the last assault at Cold Harbor was ever made... No advantage whatever was gained to compensate for the heavy loss we sustained."

Want to learn more? Check out a virtual tour of Cold Harbor!

Cold Harbor Virtual Tour Discover Cold Harbor Battlefield in 360° with our interactive virtual tour – featuring clickable tour points, photographs, and much more.