Gary Olsen

Date published: 4/9/2006

Knowing undeveloped land in this area equals a developer's dream, I've always lamented the rapid building on Routes 2 and 17 south of Fredericksburg, scene of one of the greatest battles in the Civil War.

With the old fairgrounds abutting Sunken Road's stone wall in the city lost 100 years ago to houses, visitors looking for a greater understanding of the Battle of Fredericksburg had to turn south of town to learn more of the events of Dec. 13, 1862.

Thus it was with absolute joy that I read that one of the most crucial tracts of land on which the battle occurred--the Pierson Farm off Routes 2 and 17--was being optioned over to the Civil War Preservation Trust ["Saving Slaughter Pen," March 29].

And to think that a developer, Tricord Builders, was behind the deal to serve as a facilitator between the sellers and the CWPT boggled my mind.

In most cases, developers try to maximize the profit from vacant land for their hungry wallets.

But Tricord has departed from such avaricious practice and nobly offered the land for perpetual preservation for no monetary gain.

Tricord is to be applauded for its full understanding of what this farm meant to the thousands of young soldiers who died on its field and its place in American history.

The CWPT, alongside the Central Virginia Battlefields Trust, still has to raise $12 million for this invaluable farm.

I would hope that residents living in the area will respond generously to these two organizations' call for funds.

Future generations will be able to grasp the horror of that day and realize that the cost of freedom for the United States did not come cheaply on that crucial and bloody December day in 1862.

Fredericksburg

Date published: 4/9/2006