Battlefield Trust Aims to Try to Save Pamplin Park

 Named after Dr. Robert B. Pamplin, Jr., a businessman and philanthropist based in Oregon, Pamplin Park is a site of of what has been typically referred to as "the Breakthrough."  The Federals were able to successfully break the Confederate lines during this attack occurring April 2nd, 1865.  This concluded the nearly year-long Petersburg Campaign and ultimately the end of the war as Confederates evacuated the capital at Richmond.  Today, Pamplin Park encompasses over 400 acres and multiple museums, trails, and historic homes.   Also today, the park has been in financial trouble, which has led to closures, cancellations, and limited visits to appointment only.  But a month ago, the park announced that walk-in visits would be allowed on the weekends.  I have been to Pamplin Park a couple of times and enjoyed my time.  So the American Battlefield Trust's announcement recently that they were attempting to acquire the campus was welcome news.

There are no woman soldier connection to this site that I am currently aware of.  But back in 2019, Mark gifted me a plaque placed on a bench there in my name.  Here is a picture of it.  I haven't been back, so I don't know if it is even still there.  I certainly hope so!   I also hope the Trust can save this property not only for history's sake but also for the preservation of this thoughtful gift that Mark gave me memorializing the brave women soldiers I have been researching for nearly fifteen years now.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Battlefield Trust Aims to Preserve Land Women Soldiers Fought On

The Battlefield Trust announced recently an opportunity to purchase over 1,000 acres at Chickasaw Bayou.  This was the North's first major attempt to take the vital city of Vicksburg.  Previous expeditions had failed without truly threatening the city with Holly Springs being the most notable.  

Early War Alabama Woman Soldier?

 I've dabbled with AI to animate photos of woman soldiers, which you can see on my YouTube channel.  I've got others I have not publicized yet but will at some point.  I want to go back and re-work some of them.  But they're neat, and I've used some in my presentations to add to the attendees' experience.  AI is controversial today, but it can certainly serve as a positive tool.  In the case of historical topics, these enhanced photos and videos can humanize the individuals we study and bring them closer to us.

 You can find various AI videos on YouTube.  Some are great.  Others are goofy.  I came across this video I found especially intriguing because it contains a couple of Civil War women soldiers.