Save 365 Acres at 4 Battlefields

Winchester, New Market, Port Republic, and Fisher’s Hill

History is a passion that both inspires and instructs. Studying the past yields a better ability to navigate the present and prepare for the future. We owe much of my understanding and appreciation for history to the fact that these battlefields still exist today in preserved condition to present the incredible stories of what happened there yesterday to us in the present.

That is why battlefield preservation is so important. Beyond the pages of a book, the ground where history unfolded is a powerful and moving thing that transcends the grains of sand that are our lives against the larger backdrop of history itself. It is consequently our responsibility to do all that we can in the present to preserve these battlefields for tomorrow’s generations. Without these hallowed grounds of honor, we cannot fully appreciate what transpired there to inform and inspire us.

We present to you several locations that we at the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation are working hard to save forever. Each of these locations offer stories that further our understanding of the battles that transpired there. We invite you to consider each as part of our greater effort to add to the 7,000 acres saved thus far in the Shenandoah Valley. We’ve accomplished much since our founding, but modern development isn’t slowing down and neither are we as we pursue our mission. Each of these are critical opportunities to further add to the increasingly enriching experience when visiting the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District.

Lewiston Farm, also known as the “The Wheatfield” at Port Republic

During the Battle of Port Republic on June 9, 1862, this 170-acre property stood in the center of the fighting. Both Union and Confederate forces will clash against one another on the property in long lines of battle in an area on the property known as "The Wheatfield".

Rice Farm at New Market

The Rice Farm, part of which (to include the main house) sits on this 10-acre property, was used as the headquarters of the Federal army in the field from the evening of May 14th through the early morning hours of May 15th, 1864. When the overall commander, Gen. Franz Sigel, arrived on the field on May 15th, he made it his headquarters before moving south to further inspect his troops positions. During the fighting at midday, the Confederate forces under Gen. John C. Breckinridge drove the Union forces from town and the ensuing fighting crossed the property.

Easter Farm at 2nd and 3rd Winchester

In the early morning hours of June 15, 1863, Confederate forces under Gen. Edward "Allegheny" Johnson moved onto these 39 acres to take a defensive position along the railroad cut (todays modern railroad line) to cut off the retreat of Union Gen. Robert Milroy's army from Winchester. Union forces spent the morning hours trying to break through Johnson's line to escape down the Old Charles Town Road.

Ramseur’s Hill at Fisher’s Hill

On the afternoon of September 22, 1864, George Crook’s Army of West Virginia began its assault on the Confederate positions prepared by Stephen Ramseur’s North Carolinians on the westward slope of this 146-acre property overlooking Tumbling Run. These trenches, still visible today, are a stark reminder of what Ramseur’s men faced as they awaited Crook’s advance with the knowledge that Jubal Early’s cavalry was all but depleted and their situation was desperate.

To save these properties forever, we need to raise $350,000. That is why I am asking you to stand with me in the fight to preserve history and make a gift. Doing so will make a direct impact on our ability to permanently save these 365 acres forever and preserve them as open-air memorials to the valor which consecrated them as hallowed ground. We can’t stand idly by as each of these properties are lost. I look forward to hearing from you soon and putting your gift to work towards a noble cause! In doing so, you will be joining a great army of preservationists who are achieving incredible things – but we will be able to do so much more with your participation!