Save the Land Where the U.S.C.T. First Engaged Lee's Army of Northern Virginia

With CVBT’s latest property acquisition, we have a unique opportunity to make history. Since its founding almost thirty years ago, CVBT has not had a previous occasion to acquire a piece of land on which United States Colored Troops (USCT) fought. Until now!

That may not come as much of a surprise due to the fact that USCTs were not participating in active operations in the area until the spring of 1864, and even then, they saw very little combat in central Virginia due to the roles they were asked to perform. However, that changed on May 15, 1864, when unexpectedly, a USCT regiment received the call for action, and they answered.

The significance of safeguarding this land extends far beyond the preservation of soil and scenery; it is an act of honoring the legacy of those who fought for freedom and citizenship on fields familiar to their childhoods. Each step taken toward restoring this site is a tribute to the courage, sacrifice, and enduring hope of the 23rd USCT and all those whose stories unfolded here. By reclaiming the landscape, we ensure that future generations can stand where history was made and reflect on the transformation from bondage to citizenship.

With your support, we can protect the memory and meaning embedded in every acre, weaving the threads of past and present into a living testament to resilience and progress. Although the lion’s share of the property’s cost will come through grants, there are ancillary expenses, including the removal of a modern house structure to ultimately fulfill the grant’s requirements and return the property as close as possible to its wartime appearance. We are looking to raise $100,000 to help us with these expenses.

However, this three-acre parcel is only the first of several adjoining tracts (totaling over 30 acres) that we will work to acquire from the landowner going forward. Lastly, this property is ideally situated for interpretive opportunities that will allow the public to learn about the important historic events that happened there and enjoy its green space.

The Preservation Story

In February 2025, the then owners reached out to founding CVBT board member Johnny Mitchell about the possible preservation of the property. He in turn spoke to John Hennessey, retired Chief Historian of the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park, as well as another former CVBT board member, about the historic importance of the land. At that point they reached out to CVBT about our interest. After conversations with the owners, and agreement was worked out and CVBT closed on the first piece of the acquisition in August 2025.

Will you follow the example of the USCT soldiers who answered the call on May 15, 1864, and rally to save this land?

We are counting on you!