Something amazing happened! Earlier this year, I got a call. They said, “David, we’ve been caring for this land for a long time now, and now we’d like the American Battlefield Trust to take it over.”
I almost dropped the phone! This is a once-in-130-years opportunity to save this land.
And I can flat out guarantee you this — it won’t ever come again. We already expect to receive nearly half of the money from preservation partners, but we still need your support to raise the last $280,000 in the next month.
How significant were the events of this battle at Shiloh? Confederate President Jefferson Davis summed it up aptly, writing, “When Sidney Johnston fell, it was the turning point of our fate; for we had no other hand to take up his work in the West.”
No wonder that, 32 years later, Shiloh — the very scene of this turning point — was chosen to be one of America’s first five national military parks. The original 1894 boundary for this park even included the 23 acres we’re working to save today as part of it!
The Battle of Shiloh lasted two days.
THE CAMPAIGN TO SAVE 23 ACRES OF SHILOH BATTLEFIELD HAS LASTED 130 YEARS.
Now, at last, we have the chance!
Paul, nearly every day, our team must work to avert the threats that come from irresponsible developers, tech companies, and sometimes even from indifferent government officials. Oh, the stories I could tell you!
The story of these particular 23 acres at Shiloh is very different. For 130 years, the owners have loved, respected, and cared for the land.
Like a lot of folks back then (and some today), they cherished their connection to history and living on hallowed ground. And they passed that down from generation to generation.
Now they want to ensure the land is preserved forever. I’m grateful they’ve chosen to have the land permanently protected — and I’m elated that they’ve given us the opportunity to purchase it so it can be saved.
We’ve built a reputation for doing things the right way — effectively and with integrity. That’s not only a tribute to our team, it’s also a tribute to you. You make our work possible!
These two Tennessee battlefields need our support!
'Til the battle is won,
David N. Duncan, President
American Battlefield Trust
P.S. These acres at Shiloh battlefield — which include a portion of the widow Mary Howell’s farm and the field where Confederate Colonel Preston Pond sent two infantry regiments on the morning of April 6th — could not be incorporated into the park when Congress established it. But, 130 years later, it can happen now. All we need to do is raise $280,000 in the next month. Please help today.