Preserve 1,099 Acres of Hallowed Ground

The American Battlefield Trust is approaching a major milestone in our mission to preserve America’s sacred battlegrounds: 60,000 acres protected.

And right now, there is an urgent opportunity to save 1,099 acres tied to three critical Civil War sites:

• 1,006 acres at Chickasaw Bayou, part of the Vicksburg Campaign
• 84 acres at Gettysburg, expanding preservation of South Cavalry Field
• 9 acres at Brandy Station, the largest cavalry battle in North America

More than $4 million in public and private matching funds have been secured. Just $162,500 remains to unlock the total preservation goal — a remarkable $26-to-$1 match on every dollar contributed.

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The History

Chickasaw Bayou – Vicksburg’s Forgotten Beginning

In December 1862, Confederate forces repelled an early Union attempt to capture Vicksburg, delaying the Union advance for six critical months. The battle at Chickasaw Bayou, often overshadowed by the later siege, marked a significant early phase in the campaign to control the Mississippi River.

The 1,006 acres now under contract represent the largest preservation effort ever at this site — a key opportunity to elevate a long-overlooked chapter of the war.

Gettysburg – Completing the Story at South Cavalry Field

Though much of Gettysburg has been preserved, key pieces of the battlefield remain unprotected. The 84-acre tract at South Cavalry Field saw action before, during, and after Pickett’s Charge.

Preserving this land helps tell the complete story of Gettysburg — and ensures future generations can learn from the full scope of what unfolded there.

Brandy Station – A Cavalry Clash That Shaped Gettysburg

On June 9, 1863, Union and Confederate cavalry forces engaged in the largest cavalry battle ever fought in North America. This engagement played a vital role in the unfolding of the Gettysburg Campaign.

The 9-acre property targeted for preservation lies within the footprint of that battle and is facing imminent threat from development in rapidly growing Virginia.

Make History by Saving It

This preservation effort goes beyond protecting land. It protects legacy. Memories. Truth.

Every donation toward this campaign will:

• Help protect 1,099 critical acres tied to three major campaigns
• Contribute to reaching the 60,000-acre milestone
• Prevent encroaching development from erasing vital history
• Leverage a powerful $26-to-$1 match — turning every dollar into twenty-six

The deadline to complete this opportunity is fast approaching. The time to act is now. Honor those who fought by ensuring the fields they marched and fell on are preserved forever.

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