The American Civil War Again?

American Civil War Battle fields.

Excuse me, if I once more refer to the American Civil War; I do so partly out of my own interest but also as good reference to Battlefield Heritage Campaigning. I have made reference in past I'r Gad bulletins to the good work in America concerning protection of Battlefields. However, that is not to say such are actually more threatened by urban sprawl & highway building than such in the British Isles. Following is one case in particular that of the Loudoun battlefields of Aldie, Middleburg and upperville; important Cavalry engagements prior to the battle of Gettys burg. (See web sites for history). I would here simply like to draw attention of how a group of local people set about the preservation, Protection & promotion of these battlefields threatened as theory are by Higway development a Committee was set up with the, I quote: "The purpose of the Citizens Committee for Historic Cavalry Battles of Aldie, Middleburg and Upperville is to emphasize the tourism potential of those Civil War cavalry battles and to create a "self-driving" tour with roadway turnouts, detailed historic markers and conservation easements to preserve the battle sites. The committee consists of Loudoun County citizens and others with expertise in history, historic preservation, tourism, conservation, transportation or natural resources, as well as representatives of civic or homeowner groups or other interested organizations. Thirty-three members were appointed to the committee in May 2000".Now that is not too difficult is it ? So hopefully a few local concerned citizens here in Wales will take example from this and set up similar committees regards Welsh Battlefields". (I dream on ?). You will find stacks of stuff here about the battles of Aldie, Middleburg & Upperville on the web plus on Mosby "Grey Ghost" famous Confederate Calvary Officer. Look out for LLANGOLLEN FARM ? Further note important step regards the P.P & P of these battlefields was their mapping: See report by Deborah Fitts in the LOUDOUN TIMES MIRROR 3 - 10 - 2004 Come to light in mapping project By Deborah Fitts 09/28/2004. I Quote: Nowadays U.S. 50 in western Loudoun is busy with scurrying commuters. But that action doesn’t begin to touch the drama of a handful of days in June 1863, when 19,000 soldiers fought bitterly along a 20-mile stretch of the road with the fate of the nation at stake. On Saturday, the most accurate and detailed maps ever made of those battles – Aldie, Middleburg and Upperville, June 17-21, 1863 – will be unveiled in a by-invitation-only gathering of preservation groups at Llangollen Farm in Upperville. (More on Llangollen Farm in next issue of I'r Gad).

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“This is the first time these battles have been properly mapped, using the latest technology along with historical research and documentation".

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“This is some of the best work I’ve done,” said Lowe, who will speak at Saturday’s event. “It’s a very high-quality product”.

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“You can’t protect what you don’t know,” explained Ziluca. “They’ll have accurate information available to them as to where these battles took place. So when there’s an application [for development] that has an impact on a battlefield, the county can take a good look at it”.

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“Now they’re recognized as extremely important battles, probably the second-largest cavalry actions of the Civil War” .

That's it folks!

So until next time, Battle on?

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G.G.