News Tidbits

Last week, I participated in a fantastic Staff Ride at the Wilson's Creek National Battlefield with a faculty colleague plus warrant officers from Fort Leonard Wood. It was a privilege to hear the insights of men who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan. While at the visitor center, I was shown the plans for the renovated exhibit space. In 2011, the National Park Service acquired Dr. Tom and Karen Sweeney’s collection of archival materials and artifacts; this collection was formerly housed in General Sweeny’s Museum that was adjacent to the park entrance. The renovated exhibit area will allow for the display once again of a part of the Sweeney collection. Many of the artifacts relate to the trans-Mississippi and the war in the western theater so this is exciting news.

In other good news, the Civil War Trust is raising funds for the acquisition of 282 acres of land near the Mansfield State Historic Site. An article in the June issue of Civil War News also reported that the Civil War Trust donated to the State of Louisiana a one- acre tract near Honeycutt Hill as well as the Allen House that was used as a field hospital after the battles of Mansfield and Pleasant Hill.