Saving History Saturday: Latest American Battlefield Preservation Program Grants Announced
On February 29th, the National Park Service (NPS) awards $1,008,166.60 in Battlefield Land Acquisition Grants through the American Battlefield Protection Program (ABPP) to protect 58.58 acres at four battlefields in Arkansas, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.
The Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism received $440,000 for the preservation of 36.35 acres of the Prairie Grove Battlefield in Washington County, Arkansas. This award completes the acquisition and preservation of 185 acres, expanding the existing Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park.
The Battle of Prairie Grove was fought in December 1862, as part of the Union Army’s efforts to take control of northwest Arkansas from the Confederates. Although a tactical draw, it was a strategic Union victory as the area remained in Union hands for the rest of the war. Federal units included the first and third Indian Home Guards, volunteer infantry regiments recruited from Indian Tribes, as well as African American troops who joined with Union sympathizers from Arkansas.
The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission received $383,677.50 towards the preservation of 19.45 acres at Gettysburg in Adams County, Pennsylvania.
The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation received $129,489.10 for the acquisition of 1.78 acres of the Petersburg III Battlefield in Dinwiddie County, Virginia, and $55,000 for the preservation of one acre at the Buckland Mills Battlefield in Prince William County, Virginia.
The closing act of the Bristoe Station Campaign, the Battle of Buckland Mills, took place on October 19, 1863, between Maj. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart’s Confederate cavalry and the Union cavalry under Brig. Gen. Judson Kilpatrick.
A division of Stuart’s men, under Maj. Gen. Fitzhugh Lee attacked the Federals under Brig. Gen. George A. Custer as they rested near Chestnut Hill. The Federals were scattered and chased five miles, leading to the moniker the “Buckland Races.” This was Stuart’s last victory over cavalry.
To learn more about the American Battlefield Protection program, click here.
