American Battlefield Trust

Saving America's Battlefields.

[American Battlefield Trust @Battlefields]

In September of 1864, Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant wanted to divert Gen. Robert E. Lee’s attention from a movement against the Southside Railroad in Virginia by ordering a diversionary attack against the Confederate fortifications around Richmond. Overnight #OnThisDay September 29, 1864, Maj. Gen. Benjamin Butler’s Army of the James crossed the James River to assault the Richmond defenses. Butler’s left and right columns attacked at dawn on the 29th, but the Confederates rallied and contained the break in their lines. The fighting continued the next day. https://t.co/oPpXkbk7rL

[American Battlefield Trust @Battlefields]

At 8:00 am on #OnThisDay September 29, 1862, Brigadier General Jefferson C. Davis shot Major General William “Bull” Nelson in the chest with a borrowed pistol in the lobby of the Galt House Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky. Within the next hour, Nelson was dead.

Learn more about William “Bull” Nelson here: https://t.co/9xhDKF6GCB

[American Battlefield Trust @Battlefields]

After the Union captured her hometown of St. Augustine, Florida, during the Civil War, Maria Dolores “Lola” Sánchez’s father was imprisoned for espionage. When her attempts to release him failed, she instead turned to espionage herself.

🔗 Click the link below to learn more about Sánchez and her role in the Confederate victory at the Battle of Horse Landing in May 1864. #HispanicHeritageMonth! https://t.co/jb6m9cMavu

[American Battlefield Trust @Battlefields]

🚨 BREAKING NEWS— In a special meeting today, the Orange County Board of Supervisors unanimously passed a resolution acknowledging the Planned Development-Mixed Use (PDM) Zoning District, which paved the way for the Wilderness Crossing mega-development rezoning in 2023, violated Virginia State Code. The resolution marks a major development in the legal fight to stop the massive development at the gateway of the Wilderness Battlefield.

“We applaud the county’s decision to reexamine the creation of the PDM Zoning District and willingness to acknowledge an error was made,” remarked American Battlefield Trust president David Duncan. “While we understand the need for the county to proceed in a methodical manner, today’s decision points to only one final result: invalidation of the Wilderness Crossing rezoning.”

Learn more about this breaking development: https://t.co/kOkbxXdwBp

[American Battlefield Trust @Battlefields]

By the fall of 1781, Washington and French Lt. Gen. Comte de Rochambeau decided that attacking British Gen. Charles Lord Cornwallis’ troops at Yorktown, Virginia, was the best way to achieve decisive victory in the American Revolution. #OnThisDay September 28, 1781, American and French forces arrived near Yorktown and began laying siege to Cornwallis’ men. Throughout the day, they dug parallel trenches that brought them closer to the British, but their most significant attack would not come until October 14. That attack forced the British to surrender and begin negotiations to end the war. https://t.co/Fr1kc4WVq9

[American Battlefield Trust @Battlefields]

José Guadalupe Gallegos was a Hispano civilian and military leader in New Mexico. After the territory was ceded to the United States in 1848, Gallegos became an important leader in San Miguel County and New Mexico. He was elected sheriff, served in the legislature, helped establish the Historical Society of New Mexico, and started wool and copper mining companies. During the Civil War, he enlisted in the Union Army for 6 months, commanded the 3rd New Mexico Volunteer Infantry Regiment, and built roads to protect New Mexico from Confederate capture. #HispanicHeritageMonth https://t.co/3B8EGTPVIZ

[American Battlefield Trust @Battlefields]

Medal of Honor recipient Christian Fleetwood died #OnThisDay September 28, 1914. In August of 1863, he enlisted in the 4th Regiment of the United States Colored Infantry and was promoted to Sergeant Major. During the Battle of Chaffin’s Farm, he charged forward with the American flag after two previous color bearers had been shot down. Even under Confederate fire, he rallied his men to continue to fight. For his bravery, he was awarded the United States’ highest military honor. https://t.co/hVK0IoMxjA

[American Battlefield Trust @Battlefields]

Calling all Civil War buffs, battlefield enthusiasts, trivia champions, and self-proclaimed history nerds: GettysNerd 3.0: The Ultimate Civil War Quiz Show returns to Gettysburg on Friday, November 13 — and this could be your chance to compete live on stage!

But first, you have to qualify. Registration is now open for the GettysNerd 3.0 Online Qualifier Quiz, taking place October 6–8! Click the link below to register for the qualifier quiz. Once you sign up, watch your email on October 5 for instructions and your quiz link.

💻 Register for the qualifier quiz: https://t.co/kkvFF5RN5k

[American Battlefield Trust @Battlefields]

#OnThisDay September 27, 1862, Union Maj. Gen. Benjamin F. Butler mustered into service the first African-descent regiment officially brought into the Union Army, the 1st Louisiana Native Guards, later redesignated as the 73rd United States Colored Infantry (USCI). Butler also commissioned 30 men of African descent as officers to command the regiment on the company level. https://t.co/Wlv7uaYJ0g

[American Battlefield Trust @Battlefields]

July 1776 saw 56 statesmen in Philadelphia declare independence. But August 1776 witnessed tens of thousands of soldiers fight for that principle in Brooklyn. Without the sacrifice of the latter, the courage and political vision of the former would have been meaningless. Explore these exceptional events and the cities that shaped them in the newest issue of Hallowed Ground Magazine, Summer 2026 edition!

Read several features online now, or become a member to receive a copy of this award-winning magazine straight to your mailbox. Learn more below ⬇️ https://t.co/g2ACIxhABx

[American Battlefield Trust @Battlefields]

Did you know that infamous traitor, Benedict Arnold, was critically important in the Patriot victory at the Battle of Saratoga? Join us in historic Saratoga, New York, for the newest episode of Historically Correct, as we challenge visitors at iconic historic sites and battlefields on The Liberty Trail to see how much they really know about the events that shaped our nation.

This season of Historically Correct has been made possible in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities (@NEHgov).

[American Battlefield Trust @Battlefields]

British victory at the Battle of Brandywine opened the road into the American capital at Philadelphia. They continued to advance, undeterred by the Battle of the Clouds and the attack at Paoli. The British entered Philadelphia unopposed #OnThisDay September 26, 1777. They held the city until June 1778. https://t.co/OGlfoHQFQv

[American Battlefield Trust @Battlefields]

Santos Benavides was the commander of the 33rd Texas Cavalry Regiment and the highest-ranking Tejano in the Confederate army. During the Civil War, he successfully defended Confederate cotton trade routes with Mexico and defeated Union forces at the Battle of Laredo. In May 1865, he participated in the last land battle of the Civil War, the Battle of Palmito Ranch. #HispanicHeritageMonth

Learn more: https://t.co/KTIUyImyJL

[American Battlefield Trust @Battlefields]

Even after the British took Philadelphia, the Patriots held onto Ft. Mifflin outside of the city. Its position prevented British warships from landing in Philadelphia, which limited their access to supplies. British Gen. Sir William Howe ordered a siege against the American position #OnThisDay September 26, 1777. The siege lasted until November 15, when the Americans finally surrendered the fort. https://t.co/F8WCzRdYYD

[American Battlefield Trust @Battlefields]

The Nashville and Decatur Railroad, which supported Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman’s men during the Atlanta Campaign, was protected by fortifications at Sulphur Creek Trestle. #OnThisDay September 25, 1864, Maj. Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest’s Confederate cavalry surrounded Sulphur Creek Trestle and began an artillery bombardment. After two hours of bombardment, Union forces surrendered. https://t.co/SDvsbTHipj

[American Battlefield Trust @Battlefields]

Philip Bazaar was a Chilean immigrant who received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the assaults on Fort Fisher in North Carolina in January 1865. During the battle, Bazaar carried dispatches under Confederate artillery fire, risking his life to ensure communications reached Union leadership. As part of the boat crew detailed to one of the generals on shore, he was also one of six men who entered the fort during the assault. #HispanicHeritageMonth https://t.co/pRgZK8NTha

[American Battlefield Trust @Battlefields]

Join Garry Adelman on the Gettysburg Battlefield for another exciting preservation opportunity. With your help, we continue to piece together this battlefield, creating an expanded park for future generations. Learn more and donate today: https://t.co/SdC7Mu3kKg

[American Battlefield Trust @Battlefields]

Statesman and future Chief Justice John Marshall was born in Fauquier County, Virginia #OnThisDay September 24, 1755. President John Adams appointed him Chief Justice of the Supreme Court in 1801. As Chief Justice, Marshall helped to establish the principle of judicial review, defined the Necessary and Proper Clause within the Constitution, and deemed monopolies unconstitutional, which have all remained relevant in contemporary Court rulings.
https://t.co/DQen4zQsZL

[American Battlefield Trust @Battlefields]

#OnThisDay September 24, 1789, President George Washington signed the Judiciary Act, which outlined how the judicial branch operated and established a Supreme Court to review lower-court rulings and ensure they adhered to the Constitution. Since this Act’s passage, the judicial branch has only gone through minor changes in its operational policies. https://t.co/NEVFtPQVR8

[American Battlefield Trust @Battlefields]

During the Texas Revolution, Tejanos, or Spanish-speaking settlers, fought on both sides of the conflict. These Tejanos fought for different reasons – land, religion, slavery, community – and they illustrate the complexity of the Revolution. In honor of #HispanicHeritageMonth, we’re sharing the stories of some of these Tejano heroes like Plácido Benavides, Carlos de la Garza, and Juan Seguín; check out the article below to learn more! https://t.co/hkW7HmokQh