In his last announcement as president of the American Battlefield Trust, James Lighthizer warmly relayed that we were victorious in saving three history-filled acres in the West Woods at Antietam, his favorite battlefield. The accomplishment was a testament to the quick response and overwhelming generosity of the Trust’s members, after the opportunity became public in mid-August. Other donors participated in this project by virtue of gifts made to the Lighthizer Legacy Fund in tribute to the 20 impactful years that Jim spent leading the organization. With this latest victory, the Trust has saved a total of 463 acres at Antietam to date!
The West Woods was of one of the most heavily contested areas of one of the Civil War’s bloodiest battles. This acreage marks where numerous Confederate brigades launched their advances into the West Woods and toward the Dunker Church. In what can be described as a soldier’s worst nightmare, it was at one point seen as a “no-man’s land” with artillery from both sides flying overhead.
To truly illustrate the history that took place on this property, you can turn to the photography of Alexander Gardner, the sketches of Alfred Waud, and, of course, the accounts of the men who fought there. The words of Sgt. William Andrews of the 1st Georgia paint a haunting picture: “You could hear laughing, cursing, yelling and the groans of the wounded and dying, while the awful roar of musketry was appalling. Where the line stood, the ground was covered in blue, and I believe I could have walked on them without putting my feet on the ground.”
The preservation of this hallowed ground will prevent future development from infringing on the solemnity of the battlefield and lay the groundwork for its future transfer to the National Park Service. The addition unleashes the potential for accounts like that of Sgt. Andrews to carry greater weight and expand the park’s interpretation.
Preservation successes like this one create vast momentum and inspire this organization to continue pushing boundaries in the name of saving America’s hallowed ground. It is, without a doubt, integral to note that your support allows us live out our creed: “Preserve. Educate. Inspire.”
American Battlefield Trust