Vicksburg Battlefield Reclamation HELP NEEDED

[coastaltrash]

Attached to this post you will find the newsletter for Vicksburg which directly deals with the opinion of the future of the park. The direction is being left in the hands of the people and your opinion is needed. As those who toured the battlefield a few weeks ago noticed, cannons point to trees in most of the park rather than at the historic batteries that lay through what is now become overgrown areas planted by the CCC in the 1930s. Your opinion is greatly needed to restore the park to a condition it was set aside for- to remember the men who fought and died on the hills, and not as a wildlife refuge for birds.

http://parkplanning.nps.gov/document.cfm?parkId=411&projectId=19204&documentID=19337

You can follow the above link to fill out any commentary you may have to have trees removed and restore historic tree lines in the park. Rather than seeing cannon's pointing at trees you will actually be able to see opposing lines. This may be the last chance we have to restore the battlefield to its original intention.

[Emmanuel Dabney]

Re: Vicksburg Battlefield Reclamation HELP NEEDED

I know you didn't mean it that way Pat, but before people get gung-ho in throwing out the wildlife of America, let us not forget the National Park Service's mission (and speaking as one of those NPS employees):

"The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the national park system for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. The Park Service cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world."

In general, America's Revolutionary and Civil War battlefields are too heavily wooded to understand the movements of troops and supplies. I support the Vicksburg reclamation movement but must say that there will still be trees even in areas where they were not. The key to this is to pick out important areas of the battlefield and clear or reduce the number of trees so that movements are understood by visitors and employees alike.

At Petersburg (where I work, yall come visit!), there are far too many trees in relationship to what the photographs show us, but we are also in a city and provide some of the only shelter for deer, rabbits, raccoons, and now we annually host a bald eagle (who sadly picked her position to nest over the Confederate Colquitt's Salient where John B. Gordon launched his attack on Fort Stedman).

As I said, I know you (Pat) didn't mean "Kick nature out" but I know even some of our visitors wonder why we close the trail to Colquitt's Salient just because there is a threatened species (eagle) who chose to nest there.

[coastaltrash]

Re: Vicksburg Battlefield Reclamation HELP NEEDED

Poor wording on my part Em, by no means do I mean pluck every tree from the battlefield, but there are key areas here that should be cleared to make available a better understanding of the campaign. Vicksburg hosts some large groups of animals that without the park would not have a home, but it also houses a story that needs to be told with a clear point of view in some areas.

[JimConley]

Re: Vicksburg Battlefield Reclamation HELP NEEDED

While I support the idea of restoring NPS sites to more closely reflect the original landscape, this can be somewhat tricky.

I've heard that Gettysburg has adopted the same type of processes to move towards the 1863 apperance of the grounds. But, based on what I've heard about Gettysburg, some tress that were not planned to be removed have been taken out by mistake (And I apologize that I'm unable to cite more specifically). Not to say that Vicksburg or Gettysburg is lacking logistically, but certainly planning should be careful and specific.

Thanks for the info, Pat. I'll take a gander at that link and help out if I can.

[Charles Heath]

Re: Vicksburg Battlefield Reclamation HELP NEEDED

I'm trying to imagine Vicksburg with a light layer of snow. Really, I'm trying hard to imagine that terrain lifting feature that makes Gettysburg such a joy to visit in January and February each year when the bulk of the tourons are long gone and the leaves are off the trees.

The difference between the overgrown and heavily wooded G'burg of only a few years ago, and what is there now can be seen in the latest edition of CWPT's Hallowed Ground on pages 22-23. Due to the steep terrain at Vicksburg, a similar project would be a challenge to maintain after the initial tree removal, but the new growth would also provide yet another type of habitat. You quail hunters know what I mean.

[Rebel Yell1863]

Re: Vicksburg Battlefield Reclamation HELP NEEDED

Pards,
I was at Vicksburg NP this weekend manning the railroad redoubt, portraying the 46th Ala during the siege. The terrain out in front of the redoubt had been cleared of trees as it was during the siege. This very subject came up this weekend. A lot of the trees were planted during the 1930's, they are not "Old Growth." There are many markers and monuments in the tree's to the right of the redoubt that no one ever see. I think there is some kind of compromise that the tree, bird, and historic preservation people can come up with!

[Possum Skinner]

Re: Vicksburg Battlefield Reclamation HELP NEEDED

I think it is important to consider the purpose of Vicksburg NMP. Why was this park founded, as opposed to Yosemite or various other national parks?

Vicksburg was created by some of the very veterans who served in the ditches or dug the approaches in order to honor their friends and comrades who perished there, to preserve as much history and physical integrity as possible, and to provide an opportunity for their posterity to learn of the heroism, success, and failures of their generation so that we might learn from and not repeat their mistakes yet still emulate their courage and determination during the difficult times.

While it is impossible, impractical, and unrealistic to attempt and turn the park into the moonscape that it must have been in July of 1863, it seems equally foolish to allow vegetation planted in the 1930's to obscure the site to the point where the viewer can no longer comprehend the progression of the siege and the general shape of the fortifications and approaches.

Organizations from all over the country raised the funds to commemorate the men from their states who served and died. Artists were commissioned to produce busts, plaques, and statues in a variety of mediums in honor of these men. Some of them now exist in near complete obscurity in the woods where few visitors see them.

While I can appreciate the need for birds to have trees, I can also appreciate the fact that this is only 1800 acres in Mississippi. Mississippi is not hurting for acres of forest land or trees. To claim that Vicksburg is some unique wildlife refuge that requires a tender touch so as not to render numerous species extinct is frankly either laughable, or it should be evidence enough for those with common sense to see the actual political implications and reason for this type of "survey" and "open forum". It is an opportunity for certain people to gain momentum in turning your national military parks into bird sanctuaries, dog parks, and nature trails. History be damned!

Make no mistake. A loss of the reclaiming of Vicksburg in the name of natural preservation will put an end to reclaiming of others. Once again, Vicksburg is the lynch-pin. It is under siege from those who do not have the historical importance of this park, or any other, in mind.

[lthull3rdla]

Re: Vicksburg Battlefield Reclamation HELP NEEDED

I could not attend the recent event in Vicksburg due to my job. Now, as luck will have it, my job brings me to Vicksburg for a week LOL. So, I will be checking out the area around the railroad redoubt where the deforestation has been done. Can't wait to see it. I will be here through friday so will have plenty of time.

any of you fellows that live there or near, would love to meet up with, have a cup of coffee or whatever.

Ronnie

[missourirelics]

Re: Vicksburg Battlefield Reclamation HELP NEEDED

I worked there as a seasonal (doing my internship) in 2001....I love what they have done with Texas loop, and the Graveyard road. I would like to see the 2nd Texas Lunette all of the way to 3rd LA Redan cleared (obviosly leaving a reasonable amount of hardwoods for soil protection. I love the birds, snakes, etc, but they can go to the other 8 miles of park. Actually before they do that, they need to update that visitors center that has had the same displays there since the 60s. Spend the money and put the Jones jacket on display! I loved the Cairo Archives Storage Building.

P.S. Did you know that CCC planted trees are now cultural historical material and would probably have a descent chance of getting an historic register nomination if it wasn't on the park?

Paul Arnold
Wretched Mess

[lthull3rdla]

Re: Vicksburg Battlefield Reclamation HELP NEEDED

as luck would have it, though here on business, business has kept me so darned busy I have not had a chance to go through the park. Hopefully this afternoon, I can, before closing. Hot..man its hot. Been raining a lot and humidity is stifiling. I'm from Louisiana so I'm used to this but it don't mean I have to like it!

We do the 48th OVI, Co C, when we do fed, which is 90% of the time. So, the deforestation around the railroad redoubt means a lot to me. Also anything around the 2nd tex lunette too, which is where the 48th fought on the 19th of May before shifting across the tracks.

I'll let ya know my impression of it when i have been through.

Ronnie