Ninety-five and counting…
More acreage preserved at Mill Springs
by Civil War Trust, battlefield group

U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers and officials of the Civil War Trust and Mill Springs Battlefield Association (MSBA) have announced preservation of two historic properties associated with the 1862 battle and battlefield. The two properties, totaling 95 acres and known locally as the Landmark Ventures tract and Gladstone-Muse tracts, will be added to the 450 acres currently protected in the privately run battlefield park.

“Standing on this picturesque battlefield, with the white headstones of the National Cemetery just beyond us, one cannot help but think of the young men in blue and gray who fought here,” remarked Rep. Rogers. “By preserving this battlefield, we ensure that their sacrifices will never be forgotten and their brave deeds will inspire Americans for generations to come.”

Joining Rogers at the news conference were Civil War Trust President James Lighthizer, Trust Chairman Emeritus John L. Nau III, and MSBA President Bill Neikirk. All three thanked Rogers for his commitment to the battlefield and noted that preservation efforts at Mill Springs are the result of strong partnerships between federal, state and local officials, and nonprofit groups like the Trust and MSBA.

Protection of the Landmark Ventures and Gladstone-Muse tracts was the result of an $832,000 national fundraising campaign initiated by the Civil War Trust in 2012. The two tracts were the scene of intense fighting during the Jan. 19-20, 1862, battle, including the first documented bayonet charge of the Civil War launched by the 9th Ohio Volunteer Infantry regiment.

The fundraising campaign to preserve the two properties resulted in more than $440,000 dollars from private-sector donations, which were matched by grant funding from the federal Civil War Battlefield Preservation Program. That program, funded through the Land and Water Conservation Fund and administered by the National Park Service’s American Battlefield Protection Program, has been used to preserve more than 19,000 acres of battlefield land in 16 states. In his role as chairman of the U.S. House Appropriations Committee, Rogers has been a strong supporter of the battlefield matching grants program.

In addition to announcing the preservation of the Landmark Ventures and Gladstone-Muse tracts, the Civil War Trust also revealed a new opportunity to preserve a further 102 acres at Mill Springs – a property that includes the site of Confederate Gen. Felix Zollicoffer’s headquarters during the battle. The Trust currently has this historic property under contract and intends to raise the $724,000 necessary to permanently preserve it through donations leveraged against a matching grant also from the Civil War Battlefield Preservation Program.

The modern era of preservation at Mill Springs began in 1992 with the formation of the MSBA. Since then, nearly 550 acres of battlefield land have been permanently protected, largely through cooperative efforts between government officials, MSBA and the Civil War Trust. Today, visitors can explore miles of interpreted walking trails; enjoy two restored historic homes; and browse an impressive 10,000-square-foot museum and visitor center.

The Civil War Trust, to date, has preserved more than 36,000 acres of battlefield land in 20 states, including more than 2,100 acres in Kentucky.