Gaines’ Mill, fought north to south, and Cold Harbor, fought east to west, are among two of General Robert E. Lee’s great victories of the Civil War.
“Absolutely incomparable. No unpreserved battlefield property in North America resonates with higher historical value than this land.” Historian Robert K. Krick
Now, we’re launching Phase Three of Gaines’ Mill-Cold Harbor Saved Forever Campaign to save 45 acres that we’re calling “The Juncture at Griffin’s Woods” along with 12 additional acres associated with the battles of Glendale, First Deep Bottom, and Malvern Hill.
This Saved Forever Campaign is one of the largest transactions we have ever taken on, and we have about two years left to raise all the funds we need to complete the Campaign. We are obligated to make timely payments each year or risk defaulting on our agreement.
At this phase, we’re fighting for TWO tracts of land that span FIVE Civil War battles. This is a uniquely historic preservation opportunity!
45 Acres at Gaines’ Mill-Cold Harbor
The terrain of the 45-acre target tract encompasses much of the thick woods that marked the center of the Gaines’ Mill battlefield and abuts National Park Service property.
This key tract of sacred ground serves as that critical juncture between battlefield land we’ve already saved to the east, west, and north, filling in a gap and completing an uninterrupted and fully protected section of this battlefield.
Griffin’s Woods is completely unchanged from its wartime appearance. The trees among which a dozen brigades ferociously fought are descendants of the forest that so troubled and confused the combatants on June 27, 1862. Both branches of Boatswain’s Creek still meander through the woods as important landmarks.
12 Acres at Glendale, First Deep Bottom, and Malvern Hill
At Glendale, the penultimate Seven Days battle which took place on June 30, 1862, initial Confederate attacks led by General James L. Kemper’s Virginia brigade jumped off from this very ground, supported by a single artillery battery.
The next day at Malvern Hill, Confederates pivoted to pursue and attack the Federals who had taken a strong defensive position. As much as half of Lee’s army marched over or on the roads immediately bordering this property, as they girded for their doomed advance.
Then, about two years later, at First Deep Bottom, dismounted Federal cavalry established a line in the Long Bridge Road, the northern border of the tract. The troopers, belonging to General David M. Gregg’s division, were attacked by several brigades of Confederate infantry. With the bulk of the fighting swirling just north of the road, the temporarily defeated Union soldiers rallied and regrouped on the land we are working to save.
Now today, we can preserve this nearly 12-acre tract of land associated with all three of these battles! When it rains, it pours, right?
We can’t do it without your support in this fight!
After more than 25 years — we have the remarkable opportunity to preserve this most-important unprotected hallowed ground in America... a challenge we simply must meet!
For every $1.00 you give today, you will help preserve two historic tracts of land associated with FIVE Civil War battles!
It’s so very important that we protect this and other battlefields across our nation before they are lost forever to development. Thank you for your support.
‘Til the battle is won,
David N. Duncan, President
American Battlefield Trust