Dear Friends and Guardians of American Heritage,
Imagine what it would’ve been like to witness portions of all three days of the Battle at Gettysburg unfold before your very eyes at most of Gettysburg’s famous hills. Today I write to you with news of our most recent victory — nearly 49 acres! — at the famed Pennsylvania battlefield, featuring land that yielded such views in 1863 of Big Round Top, Cemetery Hill and Culp’s Hill.
If you hadn’t stepped up to support this effort, the largest of these properties would’ve likely become a housing subdivision of large-lot “McMansions” that obstructed the view of Big Round Top. This campaign was an instance where every donation made a tangible difference — one that allows this and future generations to experience the historical landscape through a broader and more gratifying lens.
But that’s not all! That large 46.8-acre, property, on which the battle flowed around and over, is accompanied by two other small tracts that the Trust has now preserved in perpetuity. At 1.1 acres, the larger of those includes the historic James McKnight House. Mr. McKnight could’ve never imagined that when he purchased the house — along with a barn and five acres of land — in 1860, that the largest battle ever fought in North America would sweep over his property three years later.
Located on the slopes of East Cemetery Hill, tens of thousands of Union troops marched right in front of, paused on, passed over, fought on and were buried on McKnight’s farm on July 1 and 2. The Union made sure to strategically station the vital 5th Maine Battery on McKnight’s Hill on July 1, and when Confederate troops under Gen. Jubal Early made their fierce attack on East Cemetery Hill on the evening of July 2, the battery held and secured ample time for Union reinforcements to come on scene and push the Confederate forces fully back.
Knowing that this whole area along the Baltimore Pike is threatened by development, we pursued the big-picture goal and secured an additional .63 acres immediately south of the McKnight House. All of this land could easily have been lost to development if generous Trust members had not stepped forward. But, with you on our side, our fight to keep history intact is as successful as it’s ever been! And our success rate is recognized by the continued assistance of the American Battlefield Protection Program, as their support toward these efforts at Gettysburg, as well as a landowner donation and a handful of large gifts, allowed us to match donor contributions at an impactful $5.48-to-$1.
Thank you for keeping the fight for battlefield preservation alive and well, as each victory is a testament to your fighting spirit!
With Deepest Gratitude,
David N. Duncan
President