Md. to preserve Frostown Gap, part of South Mountain battle site

[acook]

http://www.herald-mail.com/?cmd=displaystory-comments&story_id=250767

Good news for one of the top ten (2010) endangered CWPT battlefields!

"MIDDLETOWN, Md. — The state of Maryland says it’s preserving a piece of Civil War history near Middletown.

The Board of Public Works on Wednesday approved the purchase of 97 acres in Frostown Gap, one of several rugged locations where Union and Confederate forces clashed during the Battle of South Mountain Sept. 14, 1862. The price: about $904,000.

Beside the property’s historical significance, the Department of Natural Resources says its mix of farmland, forest and stream also makes the acquisition ecologically valuable.

Historians say about 4,600 soldiers were killed, wounded or reported missing in the battle. The Union victory at South Mountain set the stage for the Battle of Antietam three days later near Sharpsburg."

Aaron Cook

[Kanawha Riflemen]

Re: Md. to preserve Frostown Gap, part of South Mountain battle site

It finally paid off. I know Paul, Isaac and I busted our tails getting all of the information together to our supervisor(s) who submitted the information to the hire ups. Thank you for posting it Aaron and helping us out on the gun detachment at Greenbrier.

John A. Miller, South Mountain State Battlefield
Monterey Pass Battlefield
Franklin County, Pa. 150th Civil War Committee

[georgewunderlich]

Re: Md. to preserve Frostown Gap, part of South Mountain battle site

A hardy "WELL DONE!" Thanks for your efforts, John, Paul, Issac and all others who helped. This is an importantt save for our heritage and our state.

[Kanawha Riflemen]

Re: Md. to preserve Frostown Gap, part of South Mountain battle site

Thank you George! We are as excited about this as well.

John A. Miller
South Mountain State Battlefield
Monterey Pass Battlefield, Washington Township
Franklin County, Pa. 150th Civil War Committee

[Quickstep]

Re: Md. to preserve Frostown Gap, part of South Mountain battle site

Gentlemen,

That is certainly wonderful news for the South Mountain Battlefield! However, Fox's Gap and Fox's Tavern remain threatened by the plans of a major utility company to build an industrial gas compressor station on conservation farmland next to Fox's Tavern (this historic structure dates the 1700s and was used as a field hospital during the battle, see http://www.cpmv.org/ ). In fact, the power company has already bought the land and Fox's Tavern.

This has been on the CWPT's 10 Most Endangered Sites list for 2 years now, and until resolved, we must all live with the possibility that one day the bulldozers may show up and forever mar this pristine vista and historic property with an above-ground gas compressor station.

To help raise awareness of this threat, The Citizens for the Preservation of Middletown Valley (CPMV) will be participating in the Middletown Heritage Festival scheduled for Saturday, September 25, 2010 from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm by engaging in a Civil War Living History/Preservation Encampment.

I would encourage anyone interested in Civil War battlefield preservation in general and South Mountain Battlefield preservation in particular to register for this event, participate in the encampment, and march in the parade behind the CPMV banner. There is a link to the registration form on the CPMV website at http://www.cpmv.org/.

The Frostown Gap purchase is a major victory to be savored and celebrated for sure, but the fight for the South Mountain Battlefield is far from over. Please join the preservation encampment in Middletown on Sept. 25.

YOS,

Pvt. Claude Bauer
3rd US Regular Infantry, Co. K