Meet Chase Vossmeyer of Owenton, Ky.

“I would like to pass on to future generations not only a place to learn about history, but also a place for them to make their own memories. Battlefields are my happy place.”

Color Bearer Chase Vossmeyer

American Battlefield Trust: What moved you to first give to our organization?

Chase: Since I was in grade school, I have always been interested in learning about American history, especially the Civil War. Ask anyone that knows me and they will say that I am passionate about preservation and educating the public about the Civil War. I first heard about the American Battlefield Trust when it was still the Civil War Trust years ago while I was watching reenactment videos on YouTube. I saw a suggested video of an animated map and it sparked my interest since I’m a very visual learner. During 2019, I started watching the Live streams of Garry on the battlefields and that’s what really started to push me to want to support the Trust. It’s a bucket list item of mine to meet Garry one day! So to directly answer this, I’ve had a pretty much life long interest in the Civil War and more recently an interest is battlefield preservation and reclamation. That’s why I chose to give.  

What do you enjoy most about being a Color Bearer?

I just started my donating in January, so I haven’t had a whole bunch of time to experience being a Color Bearer. But I do enjoy knowing the possibilities I have of going to conferences and getting to interact with people who share a common interest with me. I just turned 23 and there are not many people I know around where I live that are very much interested in the Civil War. 

What is your favorite battlefield?

My favorite battlefield is a tie between Franklin, TN and Perryville, KY. As a native Kentuckian, Perryville was the first battlefield I had ever visited. I think I was in 4th grade at the time. It was the first reenactment I had ever seen also. Franklin is my favorite battlefield when it comes to interpretation, preservation, and reclamation. I worked for the Battle of Franklin Trust when I was living in Tennessee and it was one of the best experiences of my life.  

What would you like to pass on to future generations?

I would like to pass on to future generations not only a place to learn about history, but also a place for them to make their own memories. Battlefields are my happy place. When I was going through some rough times in Tennessee, I would go to battlefields in my area and just clear my mind for a while.  

If you could meet any historical figure, who would you choose and why?

I would want to meet my two ancestors that fought in the Civil War. Thomas Booth, 10th KY Cav Co M US and Edwin Booth, 5th OH Volunteer Infantry. They both had different experiences during the war. Thomas was captured near Mt Sterling, KY and was paroled. Then joined the Federal Navy was supported the Siege of Vicksburg on an ammo boat. Edwin saw combat in the East before being transferred to Sherman’s army and participating in the March to the Sea.