Civil War Battlefields
Battlefields are hallowed ground. Even today, with changes over time, they have a special impact.
Some sites are pristine and well preserved from all development threats. Others are not so fortunate.
Some are almost forgotten.
For a description of the Civil War Sites Advisory Commission identification and rating
classifications, see the notes below
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Battlefields in the collection include:
- Battle of Baxter Springs, Kansas - October 6, 1863
- Battle of Honey Springs, Oklahoma - July 17, 1863
- Marais des Cygnes Massacre, Kansas - May 19, 1858
- Battle of Mine Creek, Kansas - October 25, 1864
- Osawatomie, Kansas - August 30, 1856
- Battle of Trading Post, Kansas - October 25, 1864
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Baxter Springs Massacre
Baxter Springs, Kansas
October 6, 1863
CWSAC ref KS002, Preservation Priority IV.2 (class C battle)
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Battle of Honey Springs
Honey Springs, Oklahoma
July 17, 1863
CWSAC ref OK007, Preservation Priority I.3 (class B battle)
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Marais des Cygnes Massacre
Trading Post, Kansas
May 19, 1858
not rated by CWSAC
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Battle of Mine Creek
Mine Creek, Kansas
October 25, 1864
CWSAC ref KS003, Preservation Priority III.3 (class C battle)
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Osawatomie
Osawatomie, Kansas
August 30, 1856
not rated by CWSAC
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Battle of Trading Post
Trading Post, Kansas
October 25, 1864
CWSAC ref KS004, Preservation Priority III.3 (class C battle)
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Civil War Battlefield Site Identification
Many sites, however, have been damaged or destroyed by
thoughtless development, inappropriate use, or neglect. A report was issued to U.S. Congress
in 1993 by the Civil War Sites Advisory Commission (CWSAC) to identify the historically
sites, determine their relative importance, determine their condition, and assess threats to
their integrity. Efforts are presently underway to update that report. The CWSAC identification
and ratings of the original 1993 survey are still useful in providing a reference and
general condition of these sites.
The CWSAC reference consists of three parts providing a reference number, significance, and
preservation priority. The reference number identifies the state and includes a three digit
label uniquely associated to a specific battle at that site. The significance of the battle is indicated by:
- A (direct impact on the course of the war);
- B (direct influence on a campaign);
- C (having observable influence on a campaign);
- D (having a limited influence on a campaign).
Preservation Priority is determined by the significance of the battle and the present status
of the ground. That is, given limited resources for preservation, the CWSAC suggests that
more concern should be given to a Class A battle than to a Class D battle. Likewise,
a battlefield that is in good condition but facing an imminent threat should have priority
over a battlefield that has already lost most of its integrity. This is described as:
PRIORITY I: BATTLEFIELDS WITH CRITICAL NEED FOR COORDINATED
NATIONWIDE ACTION
- I.1. Class A, good or fair integrity, high or moderate threats,
less than 20 % of core area protected.
- I.2. Class A, good or fair integrity, high or moderate threats,
more than 20 % of core area protected.
- I.3. Class B, good or fair integrity, high or moderate threats.
PRIORITY II: BATTLEFIELDS WITH OPPORTUNITIES
FOR COMPREHENSIVE PRESERVATION.
- II.1. Class A, good or fair integrity, low threats, less than
20 % of core area protected.
- II.2. Class B, good or fair integrity, low threats, less than 20 % of
core area protected.
- II.3. Class C, good or fair integrity, high or moderate threats.
- II.4. Class D, good or fair integrity, high or moderate threats
PRIORITY III: BATTLEFIELDS NEEDING ADDITIONAL
PROTECTION.
- III.1. Class A, good or fair integrity, low threats, more than 20 %
of core area protected.
- III.2. Class B, good or fair integrity, low threats, more than
20 % of core area protected.
- III.3. Class C, good or fair integrity, low threats.
- III.4. Class D, good or fair integrity, low threats.
- PRIORITY IV: FRAGMENTED BATTLEFIELDS
- IV.1. All classes, poor integrity
- IV.2. All classes, lost integrity.
For example, Baxter Springs is described as CWSAC ref KS002, Preservation Priority IV.2 (class C battle)
- Kansas site 002
- Integrity is lost
- Battle had an observable influence on the outcome of a campaign.
Likewise, Mine Creek is described as CWSAC ref KS003, Preservation Priority III.3 (class C battle)
- Kansas site 003
- Integrity is good to fair
- Threat is low.
- Battle had an observable influence on the outcome of the campaign.
More information can be found at CWSAC Battlefields.
The 1993 report can be found at Civil War Sites Advisory Commission Report
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