Save 47 Acres at the Fisher’s Hill Battlefield!

Over the last 30 years, more than 1,100 acres of the Fisher’s Hill Battlefield have been protected. In addition to that, there are massive preservation projects on the battlefield that we’ve been grinding away on for a long time – one of those projects is now at a point where, with just one more push, we can close the books, preserve the property forever and claim another victory at Fisher’s Hill!

Because of the generosity of the landowners and a partnership with Shenandoah County, we can save 47 additional acres of the Fisher’s Hill battlefield and we can save them for a third of the value – just $114,000!!!

This property, situated north of Tumbling Run and just east of the old Back Road, is unbelievably picturesque and unbelievably historic – figuring prominently into the action during both days of the battle. As Federal troops arrived south and west of Strasburg on the

afternoon of September 21, 1864, Ricketts’ Division of Wright’s VI Corps pushed into the area of Flint Hill. Sparring between VI Corps troops and Confederate defenders the evening of the 21st ended with the Confederates holding their ground on the north side of the Run in advance of their main defensive line along Fisher’s Hill.

On the 22nd, Ricketts’ Division would help secure the heights north of the Run with sharp and decisive assaults against the “bull pens” – makeshift defensive breastworks thrown up by the Confederates. The Division would then be ordered to demonstrate against the front of the Confederate’s line, holding the Confederates in position and drawing their attention while General Crook’s Army of West Virginia swung around to the west and
launched a massive flank attack. Ricketts’ two brigades pushed across the property we now have the chance to preserve, and, in concert with the flanking movement, broke the main Confederate defensive line.

This is a key battlefield parcel to protect. We’re talking about hallowed ground, the site of pivotal battle action, and a property that will provide entirely new views and perspectives of the battlefield for visitors and historians alike!
If, together with our friends across the country, you and I can raise $114,000, we can purchase a preservation easement, forever protecting these 47 acres in a deal that also includes permanent access to the property for an interpretive trail. The easement is valued at $330,000 but the land owners generously agreed to donate $125,000 of that value to help get the project underway.

By partnering with Shenandoah County, funds from the Commonwealth of Virginia that are only available to municipalities were secured, leaving us with $102,500 to raise. The County agreed to front those funds to get the deal done, and now we need to do everything we can to raise the $102,500 needed to reimburse the county and pay the $11,500 in due diligence expenses that we’ve incurred.

So, in short, if we raise $114,000 we can preserve 47 acres of core battlefield with an easement valued
at $330,000. That is a good deal no matter how you slice it, and when you add in the fact that the purchase
includes permanent trail access – I don’t know what’s not to like.

View across the Target Property

But no matter how good the deal, this property will never be preserved unless we do it.
Please take a few minutes to look at the map and read through the historic sketch that I’ve included with this
letter. I think you’ll see why we’re so excited about this parcel and just what an opportunity this is for battlefield
preservation.

You always rise to the occasion and help when you can and we’re asking you to do the same now. We can’t
leave all the heavy lifting to our partners – join me in doing our part to preserve this critical battlefield property.
Whether you send $10 or $10,000, it’s going to take every one of those gifts to put us over the top and
once again win the day at Fisher’s Hill!