Preservation News: The Work To Save Myer’s Hill Continues
This week has seen a lot of fundraising for preservation with #GivingTuesday, and we send our best wishes to all battlefield preservation groups on their efforts. Central Virginia Battlefields Trust is working on a project practically in ECW’s unofficial headquarter’s backyard, and we decided to highlight this effort today – especially since their fundraiser is running through December 4th.
Here are the details from CVBT…
Myer’s Hill has been called by historian Gordon Rhea, “one of the most important pristine sites remaining to be preserved on the Spotsylvania Court House battlefield.” The completely intact 73.3 acres which CVBT has the rare opportunity of preserving will forever save ground that is crucial to understanding the Battle of Spotsylvania Courthouse. The back and forth fighting over the objective of Myer’s Hill would result in Grant’s army being held in place for two more costly days on the Overland Campaign.
This is the land from which the 9th Virginia Cavalry (recruited from the local area) was forced by the 140th New York and 91st Pennsylvania Zoaves infantry units. While their colorful uniforms may have seemed impractical given the considerations of the modern battlefield, they were intentionally mimicking the style of the French foreign legion – crack combat troops of their time. After a Confederate counterattack that nearly captured General Meade while he was reconnoitering the position, the position was seized by four Union brigades that managed to hold it until the end of the battle.
This important purchase comes at the price of $450,000 which CVBT is still fundraising for. We had a great opportunity to have our fundraising matched by PayPal, Facebook, and Network for Good which adds to the success and goal achieving. Our fundraiser on Facebook will remain active until December 4th. CVT is grateful for everything which our partners do to support us. We truly could not exist without you.
CVBT Fundraiser on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/donate/506048233215134/
For more details on Myer’s Hill and this unique chance so close to ECW’s heart and home, check out these other articles:
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