[Bars4Bill]

The horrific carnage of Antietam's Bloody Lane has been unintentionally sanitized by print reproduction until the advent of the internet and hi-res

The man at left foreground is beheaded, for example. On the right, bullet through forehead. These pictures were taken while Yankees were clearing the Sunken Road of the slain in 1862 and still remain haunting today.

[TATTUYOU]

http://www.politicaloutreach.com/Outreach/cwpt/ActionAlert.asp?strAction=link&lngAlertID=99

(April 10, 2004) The Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO) isn't getting the message. In February, Mansfield Battlefield was identified as one of the most endangered battlefields in America because of SWEPCO's mining operation.
In response, SWEPCO officials shrugged and kept on digging. Large parts of the battlefield have already been destroyed, and Dolet Hills is seeking a permit to mine on 58 additional acres.

Today, only 12 percent of Mansfield is protected from development. Of the 177 acres preserved and maintained by the state of Louisiana, 134 acres were acquired through a grant from CWPT.

Louisianans and other concerned citizens need to let SWEPCO know that its mining operation is destroying hallowed ground.

Take Action: The Friends of Mansfield have been created to help create awareness against SWEPCO's operations. Please help the Friends of Mansfield by writing to Louisiana Lt. Governor Blanco today. Please note: your letter will be most effective if you personalize the sample attached below.

Sample Letter Preview:

Saturday, July 16, 2005

Recipent's Name Recipent's Address City, State Zip

Decision-Maker

I urge you to take immediate steps to protect America's Civil War heritage at Mansfield Battlefield by denying the Dolet Hills Mining Company their permit application to destroy an additional 58 acres of this important landscape.

Large parts of this Civil War battlefield have already been forever destroyed by the lignite mining operation already underway by Dolet Hills (owned by the utility giant AEP-SWEPCO). This inappropriate use of America's historical landscape continues to be the most serious threat to the battlefield. To allow Dolet Hills to dig into an additional 58 acres of our American heritage is unthinkable and their permit must be denied.

Mansfield Battlefield is important to Louisiana, and to all Americans, and should be protected for present and future generations. Events highly significant to the shaping of our nation happened there, and risk being forgotten forever if the mining operation is expanded.

In March 1864, Union General Nathaniel Banks - intent on wresting control of Louisiana and Texas from the Confederacy - began a protracted, two-month campaign up the Red River Valley. Unfortunately for the inept Banks, his opponent was Confederate General Richard Taylor. On April 8, at Mansfield, Taylor struck elements of the Union army at Sabine Crossroads, forcing the startled Federals to quickly fall back. The Union Army was routed from the field. Taylor’s victory at Mansfield marked the end of Banks’ invasion and Federal dreams of taking Louisiana out of the war. One out of five men who fought at Mansfield became casualties.

This short summary alone demonstrates the need to protect what we still can. Underscoring the importance of this site, Mansfield Battlefield has been ranked as a Priority II, Class A battlefield by Civil War Studies Advisory Council.

Sadly, today, only 12 percent of the battlefield is protected.

Of the 177 acres preserved and maintained by the state of Louisiana, 134 acres were acquired through a grant from the Civil War Preservation Trust, an organization I strongly support.

We cannot afford to allow another 58 acres to be taken away. This is hallowed ground where men fought and died, and should be given due respect.

Please deny the Dolet Hills Mining Company's permit application. Thank you for listening to my views. I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

Your Name Your Address City, State Zip

The Civil War Preservation Trust
1331 H Street N.W. Suite 1001
Washington, D.C. 20005
202-367-1861
info@civilwar.org

[uncitizen]

Gettysburg is definitely tops. But Fredericksburg was also terrific. And i liked Shiloh too. 2 cents.

[BOBWADE]

The Battle of Shiloh April 6-8, 1862 One of the greatest battles of the War Between the States erupted near the banks of the Tennessee River at Shiloh, Tennessee. Following the battles of Ft. Henry and Donelson, Union General Ulysses S. Grant moved his troops south along the river to Pittsburg landing for training and field exercises. Many of his men were raw recruits. Grant did not fortify his position. Following the losses of Ft. Henry and Donelson Confederate forces under the command of General Sidney Johnston established a new line that covered the Memphis to Charleston Railroad. Johnston concentrated his forces near Corinth, Mississippi in hopes of engaging Grant's army before it could be reinforced. Johnston began marching from Corinth on On April 2, 1862 towards the suspected location of the Union forces. By the evening of the 5th, Johnston was prepared to attack. Grant wired his superior, General H.W. Halleck, with slight suspicion of attack. Halleck ordered Grant to stay at Shiloh and await reinforcements from General Beull. It was believed that the nearest Confederate forces were at Corinth. The following morning, April 6, 1862, Johnston launched his attack. The Union forces were quickly driven back to the north and east. They found themselves rapidly approaching the Tennessee River to the east and Owl Creek to the north. However, the Union troops finally established a line at a area know as "the sunken road". Confederate forces launched eleven attacks against the position, but the line would not break. The area became known as the "Hornets Nest" because of the intensity of gun fire and grazing of bullets. Finally the southern troops brought sixty-two artillery pieces to bear on the Hornets Nest, many at point blank range. After holding the position foe six hours, the Union forces surrendered. Fighting also occurred near the Hornets Nest on a peach orchard. General Johnston personally led the final Confederate assault. He emerged with clothes torn from grazzing bullets. He was moved to a nearby tree where it was discovered that he had been shot in the back of the leg. He refused medical attention and bled to death even though a tounique would have saved his life. Union Gunboat Image from National Archives and Records Administation General Buell arrived with Union reinforcements the evening of the 6th. They arrived by river under the cover of fire from theUnion gunboats Lexington and Tyler. The Federals had established a line near Pittsburg Landing. The arrival of fresh troops and gunboats only stengthened this line. By morning the southern army was outnumbered. The combined Union Army of the Tennessee and the Ohio numbered 65,000. The Confederate Army of the Mississippi numbered 45,000. General Beauregard, who took command after the death of Johnston, was aware of the gunboats, but unaware of Buell's reiforcements. Bearegard attempted attacks on Pittsburg Landing with no success. The Confederate Army was forced to retreat to Corinth. The final number of dead or missing was 23,746: 13,047 on the Union side and 10,699 on the Confederate side. My late grandfather owned a farm that adjoined the park and we found some rounds balls and such in his fields. What a nice memory.