Although many battlefields are in danger of being lost forever, CWPT is making significant progress. In 2006, CWPT rescued more than 1,300 acres of hallowed ground at legendary battlefields like Gettysburg, Pa., Fort Donelson, Tenn., and Fredericksburg, Va. Since our creation two decades ago, CWPT has protected 23,500 acres at more than 90 sites in 18 states.

Despite such successes, our work is far from done. We hope this report energizes both longtime supporters and new allies to continue the fight to protect and preserve these priceless treasures.

History Under Siege has two distinct components: the first section identifies the 10 most endangered battlefields in the nation, and the second section lists 15 additional "at risk" sites, rounding out the 25 battlefields we believe need the most immediate attention. No attempt is made to rank the sites within these two tiers— instead, the battlefields are listed in alphabetical order.

The selection process is lengthy and difficult. Sites are nominated by our membership, and final decisions are made with help and input from historians, preservationists and CWPT's board of trustees. The sites included in the report are determined based on geographic location, military significance and preservation status.

In analyzing each site, CWPT consulted a 1993 study by the Civil War Sites Advisory Commission (CWSAC) that prioritized sites according to their historical significance and state of preservation. Whenever possible, CWPT has cited the CWSAC rating system throughout this report. Battlefields are ranked from Priority I (sites considered the most threatened) to Priority IV (sites considered all but lost). CWSAC also ranks battlefields from A (the most historically significant sites) to D (sites of local importance).

About CWPT
The Civil War was the most tragic conflict in American history. For four long years, North and South clashed in hundreds of battles and skirmishes that sounded the death knell for slavery and defined us as a nation. More than 625,000 soldiers and 50,000 civilians perished as a result of the war.

CWPT is committed to protecting the last tangible links to this tumultuous period in American history—the fields where the conflict was decided. We strive to preserve our nation's endangered Civil War battlefields through outright purchases, conservation easements, and partnerships with federal, state and local governments. With 70,000 members, CWPT is the largest nonprofit battlefield preservation organization in the United States.

CWPT celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2007. To date we have protected forever 23,500 acres of hallowed ground in 18 states. Among the sites rescued by CWPT in recent months are key parcels at Gettysburg in Pennsylvania, Fort Donelson in Tennessee and Fredericksburg in Virginia.

To support our battlefield preservation efforts and to promote appreciation of these hallowed grounds, CWPT also maintains several outreach programs. In addition to the battlefield report you hold in your hands, CWPT produces Hallowed Ground, our award winning quarterly magazine; oversees the Civil War Discovery Trail, a National Millennium Trail linking more than 600 sites in 32 states and three foreign countries; and offers numerous education programs to classrooms, including school curricula and our online Civil War Explorer program.