The Honorable Roy Barnes
Governor, State of Georgia
203 State Capitol
Atlanta, GA 30334
Dear Governor Barnes:
I appreciate your returning my telephone call. As you know, I dropped by your office to see you Tuesday with hopes of catching you long enough to mention the Resaca battlefield preservation concern I have. While disappointed in not being able to have a moment with you, I know that Commissioner Lonice Barrett and Representative Tom Shanahan have preceded me in telling you of the four years of difficulties we have had in persuading two sets of private owners to sell this historic site to the State. From conversations with you in years past, I am aware of your sense of history, and I know you understand the significance of the State’s failure to acquire the site of this major battle in General Sherman’s Atlanta Campaign of 1864. My personal frustration is heightened by the memory of the hard work and remarkable success the Civil War Commission had in raising the nearly $3M required for Resaca battlefield acquisition from private foundations, only to find ourselves dealing with difficult owners professing a willingness to sell, yet “walking away” when their asking price was met! The Resaca Civil War battlefield, recognized by historians as deserving priority preservation rank, represents a principal Georgia heritage landmark --- the State’s power of condemnation may be the only option left to us to make this right thing happen. I hope you will take this action.
I have included with this correspondence a troop position map of the Resaca battlefield and related items for your use. Please let me know if I can be of further help.
Sincerely.
Phil Secrist, Member
GA Civil War Commission
NOTE: Dr. Secrist is an associate professor of history at Kennesaw State University and the author of the book "The Battle of Resaca" published by Mercer University Press in 1998.
