The land on which thousands died in the cause to end slavery and keep the United States together cannot speak for itself. For generations, people have walked the land of the Wilderness Battlefield, remembering on this hallowed ground the harsh and brutal battle the Union and Confederacy fought in May, 1864. Now, a new generation of citizens and preservationists are speaking up and fighting for this land to be preserved and for Wal-Mart’s plans to build a gigantic supercenter on it to be stopped. Regarding the plans as something that will harm the battlefield irrevocably, the National Trust for Historic Preservation has newly declared the Wilderness Battlefield one of America’s 11 “Most Endangered Historic Places” in 2010.

In naming the site as an “endangered place” in its May 19 announcement, the National Trust observed that the Wilderness battle “was one of the most significant engagements of the Civil War.” In doing so, the national preservation group signaled it has no intention to give up its campaign to preserve the battlefield from the giant retailer’s plans to construct a new 138,000-square-foot supercenter in Orange County, Va. Plans call for the new Wal-Mart plus nearly 100,000 square feet of additional “junior big-box” stores on a 52-acre parcel.

The new superstore, which would be built on the northern side of Route 3 near Route 20, would actually fall within the historic footprint of where the original battle occurred in Orange and Spotsylvania countries in Virginia. It’s in close proximity to the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park, which commemorates four of the most important Civil War battles.

“A Sea of Asphalt”

“If Wal-Mart ignores American heritage and bulldozes the battlefield, the first impression 95 percent of visitors to the National Park would have of the Wilderness Battlefield would be an oversized bunker of a big-box store in a sea of asphalt perched above a massive intersection,” said Richard Moe, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, in announcing the “Endangered Place” designation. “Preservationists do not oppose sustainable economic growth, but this type of large-scale development and ill-conceived sprawl is simply not appropriate at the entrance to a National Park, especially when three other Wal-Marts each sit just 15 miles away.”

Wilderness Battlefield, Virginia (Photo Credit: National Trust for Historic Preservation)

Wal-Mart’s plans first came to light in 2008 and immediately sparked a groundswell of opposition from many as well as advocacy by others who favor the store and say it would bring jobs to Orange County. In calling the Wilderness battlefield “endangered,” the National Trust is seeking to raise awareness, encourage others to join in opposing Wal-Mart’s plans, and rally resources to the cause of saving the integrity, historical experience, landscape views, and tourism benefit of the property.

To the National Trust, this is a “new battle” between the country’s largest retailer and a large coalition that includes Civil War and historic preservation groups, local citizens, history lovers, and noted public figures such as historian David McCullough. Those who have registered opposition include the National Park Service, the governor of Virginia, and hundreds of historians.

At the heart of this controversy is land in north-central Virginia on which some 186,000 Union and Confederate troops fought on May 5-7, 1864. The Battle of the Wilderness was the first time that General Ulysses S. Grant, leading the Army of the Potomac, faced off against General Robert E. Lee and his Confederate Army of Northern Virginia. The soldiers endured the horror of fighting in densely tangled brush and ravines, and the battle left 28,000 casualties – dead, wounded, or missing.

It was an important turning point – and one that the National Trust terms “the beginning of the end of the Civil War.” Grant decided, even after days of relentless, horrible battle, to continue southward in pursuit of Lee’s army. This strategy marked Grant as different from the Union generals who had come before him, and his dogged campaign in Virginia ultimately succeeded for the Union in 1865.

What’s Next

The fight between those favoring a new megastore on the site and those opposed remains in Orange County Circuit Court. Judge Daniel Bouton ruled in late April that the court case could continue, stipulating that a historic group, the Friends of Wilderness Battlefield, and several residents who live near the battlefield site have legal standing to have their concerns aired in court. The Friends of Wilderness Battlefield maintains a circa-1790 former plantation house located on the battlefield, and the group provides educational programs and service projects at the Wilderness.

Those seeking to halt Wal-Mart’s plans are battling on a number of fronts. They have sought to convince Wal-Mart to relocate the store elsewhere in the county. In the legal case, they claim that when it granted a zoning special-use permit for the development in 2009, the Orange County Board of Supervisors failed to gather and consider important information about how the Wal-Mart and adjacent retail businesses would harm the county’s citizens and its historic lands.

To the National Trust, this plot of land is as important a part of the country’s heritage and memory as Gettysburg, Antietam, or Appomattox. As to whether it will be saved as “hallowed ground,” only time will tell.

Mindful Activism: Fight the Wilderness Wal-Mart

Those who would like to advocate on behalf of the preservation of the Wilderness Battlefield and in opposition to the Wilderness Wal-Mart retail development have a number of options. Here are some actions and resources:

• Support the National Trust’s efforts by taking action, sharing the information with others, and/or making a donation.

• The National Trust has advised writing to Wal-Mart to urge the corporation to relocate its planned supercenter. You can send e-mail here. Or, if sending a letter to CEO and President Michael Duke, send correspondence to Wal-Mart Stores Inc., 702 SW 8^th St., Bentonville, AR 72716-8611. Other ways of contacting Wal-Mart can be found at this page.

• The Civil War Preservation Trust provides more information and resources concerning the Wilderness, as well as a detailed map of the parkland and proposed commercial site, in its reports devoted to the nation’s most endangered battlefields. The Trust details ways to get involved and to donate on its “Save the Wilderness Battlefield” page.

• Check out photos pertaining to the Wilderness, the “Stop the Wilderness Wal-Mart” campaign, and the threat of sprawl.

To read more about the history of the Battle of the Wilderness and earlier developments about Wal-Mart’s efforts to build a megastore on the site of the battle, also see on mindfulwalker.com:

Wal-Mart’s Threat to a Historic Battlefield

Wal-Mart: A Step Closer at the Wilderness

Wilderness Wal-Mart: A Day in Court