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Wednesday, 12 March, 2008 11:43 PM
Trace Adkins Joins Civil War
Preservation Trust to Unveil Report on Endangered Battlefields
Country
music phenomenon Trace Adkins, descendant of a Civil War solider,
helps unveil report identifying America's most endangered battlefields
WASHINGTON --
At a news conference this morning, the Civil War Preservation Trust
(CWPT) unveiled its annual report on the status of the nation's
historic battlegrounds. The report, entitled History Under Siege,
identifies the most threatened Civil War sites in the United States.
According to CWPT President
James Lighthizer, the report outlines steps that can be taken to
rescue threatened Civil War sites.
Joining Lighthizer at
the news conference announcing the report was country music star
Trace Adkins, whose great-great-grandfather was wounded and taken
prisoner at Vicksburg, Miss. "I've been a Civil War enthusiast
all my life," Adkins said. "When I visited the battlefield
in Vicksburg and stood in a trench where my great-great-granddaddy
stood, tears came to my eyes. As a father of five, I believe it
is critical that I protect a legacy that belongs not just to my
family but to our entire nation."
The History Under Siege
report is composed of two parts. The first presents the 10 most
endangered battlefields in the nation. The second briefly describes
15 additional "at risk" sites. The following battlefields
were selected for the top 10 based on geographic location, military
significance, and the immediacy of current threats:
Antietam, Md., Sept.
17, 1862: Antietam was the bloodiest day in American history. The
largely pristine battlefield is threatened by a cell tower proposal
that could be seen from most of the field.
Cedar Creek, Va., Oct.
19, 1864: Cedar Creek ended Confederate control of the Shenandoah
Valley. Today the site is threatened by an expanding limestone quarry
and improvements to a highway interchange.
Cold Harbor, Va., May
31 - June 12, 1864: Changes to the Hanover County Comprehensive
Plan have doubled the allowable zoning density on parts of this
battlefield.
Hunterstown, Pa., July
2, 1863: Often referred to as Gettysburg's "North Cavalry Field,"
Hunterstown is just one example of the rapid, unchecked growth that
plagues Adams County.
Monocacy, Md., July 9,
1864: Known as the "battle that saved Washington," Monocacy
is threatened by a proposed waste-to-energy facility, the widening
of a highway bisecting the battlefield and proposed electric transmission
corridors.
Natural Bridge, Fla.,
March 6, 1865: This battle kept Tallahassee out of Union hands.
Just seven acres of this Sunshine State battlefield are protected.
Perryville, Oct. 8, 1862:
The largest battle fought in Kentucky ensured Union control of the
Bluegrass State. The last agriculturally zoned land in city limits
was recently rezoned for highway commercial.
Prairie Grove, Ark.,
Dec. 7, 1862: Prairie Grove faces an uncertain future due to rapid
population growth in what was once a quiet corner of the state.
Savannah, Ga., Dec. 10-
22, 1864: As new houses, commercial establishments and roads are
built, the 1864 defenses, scattered throughout the suburbs of Savannah,
are in danger of being lost.
Spring Hill, Tenn., Nov.
29, 1864: Spring Hill, the precursor to the South's disastrous defeat
at nearby Franklin, is today threatened with some of the most rapid,
unchecked development in the nation.
CWPT is dedicated to
preserving our nation's remaining Civil War battlefields. CWPT's
website is located at www.civilwar.org
Source: Civil War
Preservation Trust
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