[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 76 (Tuesday, May 25, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5957-S5959]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. LOTT (for himself, Mr. Cochran, Mr. Robb, and Mr. 
        Jeffords):
  S. 1117. A bill to establish the Corinth Unit of Shiloh National 
Military Park, in the vicinity of the city of Corinth, Mississippi, and 
in the State of Tennessee, and for other purposes; to the Committee on 
Energy and Natural Resources.


              corinth battlefield preservation act of 1999

  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, 137 years ago today, Major General Henry W. 
Halleck and his 120,000 man strong Union Army commenced the siege of 
Corinth, Mississippi. The ensuing six month battle between General 
Halleck's federal troops and General P. G. T. Beauregard's 53,000 
Confederate defenders marked a turning point in the war between the 
states. It was a fierce engagement over a mere 16 square feet parcel. 
This small piece of real estate was of critical strategic importance to 
both the North and the South.

  It was in Corinth, Mississippi that the Memphis and Charleston and 
Mobile and Ohio Railroads crossed paths. This vital east-west and 
north-south railroad junction served as a passageway for troops and 
supplies moving from Illinois to Alabama and from Tennessee to points 
further east such as South Carolina and Virginia.
  Ed Bearss, Chief Historian Emeritus of the National Park Service, 
stated that ``during the Spring of 1862, Corinth was the most important 
city in the Confederacy and almost the length of the War . . . because 
of the railroads.'' In fact, because of its status as a vital rail hub, 
the town was occupied by either Confederate or Union forces from 1861 
to 1865. It also served as a springboard for the careers of over 200 
leading Confederate and Federal generals who were stationed in Corinth 
at one time or another. A figure matched by few other locations.
  Corinth is a city that exemplifies the trials and tribulations 
experienced by soldiers and civilians throughout the Civil War. A town 
whose railways lied at the center of a grand military chess match. An 
area, like many others north and south of the Mason-Dixon line, racked 
by the ravages of war.
  Even with its new status as a National Historic Landmark, Corinth is 
still considered a ``Civil War Landmark At Risk.'' The Civil War Sites 
Advisory Commission, chartered by Congress to assess threats to 
America's premier historic sites, identified Corinth as a priority one 
battlefield in critical need of coordinated nationwide action by the 
year 2000. Local, state, and national preservation groups agree. And, 
so do I.
  Mr. President, today, I am proud and honored to introduce the Corinth 
Battlefield Preservation Act of 1999. This much needed legislation 
would provide further protection for one of America's most important 
Civil War sites by establishing Corinth as a unit of the Shiloh 
National Military Park.
  The 106th Congress needs to add the Corinth Battlefield and its 
surrounding sites to the National Park System given the area's pivotal 
role in American history. It is also appropriate for Congress to 
establish Corinth as a unit of the Shiloh National Military Park as 
these two sites were indelibly linked during the Civil War. The 1862 
battle of

[[Page S5958]]

Shiloh was actually the first strike in the Union force's overall 
Corinth Campaign. It was in April 1862, that federal and southern 
forces competing for control over Corinth first struggled in the Battle 
of Shiloh/Pittsburg Landing. The battle for Corinth also had 
international implications. As a result of the Union's victory, the 
British government chose not to officially recognize the Confederacy.
  The conflict in and around Corinth eventually included the Battles of 
Iuka, Tupelo, and Brices' Crossroads, as well as engagements in 
Booneville, Rienzi, Ripley, and numerous skirmishes in southwest 
Tennessee and northeast Alabama.
  In 1862, Union General Halleck said ``Richmond and Corinth . . . are 
the greatest strategic points of the war, and our success at these 
points should be insured at all hazards.'' Halleck's subordinate, 
General Ulysses S. Grant, regarded Corinth as ``the great strategic 
position in the west between the Tennessee and Mississippi Rivers and 
between Nashville and Vicksburg.'' In arguing for the defense of 
Corinth, Confederate General Beauregard stated to General Samual 
Cooper, Adjutant and Inspector General of the Confederate States Army 
that, ``if defeated here [in Corinth,] we lose the Mississippi Valley 
and probably our cause, whereas we could even afford to lose for a 
while Charleston and Savannah for the purpose of defeating Buell's 
army, which would not only insure us the valley of the Mississippi, but 
our independence.'' Corinth's strategic importance to both armies led 
to some of the bloodiest battles in the Western Theater. Tens of 
thousands of soldiers were killed or wounded in this bitter offensive.
  It was also here that thousands of war refugees, mostly African-
Americans from Mississippi, Tennessee, and Alabama, sought shelter with 
the Union Army in Corinth. After President Lincoln's Emancipation 
Proclamation, the federal army created a model ``Contraband Camp.'' By 
the Spring of 1863, the camp housed around 4,000 freedmen. Almost half 
of these freedmen joined the ``First Alabama Infantry of African 
Descent'' which later became the ``55th Colored Infantry.''
  Corinth is also one of the few existing Civil War sites that boasts 
extraordinary earthworks and fortifications--many of which remain in 
pristine condition. A National Park Service studying authority stated 
that, ``today the surviving [Corinth] earthworks are one of the largest 
and best preserved groups of field fortifications, dating to 1862 in 
the United States.'' Unfortunately, many of these historic resources, 
undisturbed for over 130 years, are now threatened. For example, a 500-
yard section of earthworks was specifically sold for development. These 
earthworks are important to our national heritage because they helped 
shape the face of war from the 1860's to today. In fact, trench warfare 
evolved from the battle for Corinth. These earthworks and 
fortifications are symbolic reminders of the epic struggle that ensued 
between friends and neighbors and the Civil War's lasting impact on 
modern warfare.
  Although, the Battle of Shiloh has been etched into American history 
as part of the Shiloh National Military Park, a number of important 
historic sites and resources relating to the pre-battle and the rest of 
the Corinth Campaign have not been adequately protected or interpreted. 
Establishing the Shiloh Nationally Military Park as the nation's second 
Military Park back in 1894 was a good start. Now it is time for the 
106th Congress to complete the preservation effort. Congress needs to 
give a lasting presence to the Corinth Battlefield, a key component of 
the historic Shiloh-Corinth Corridor.
  Corinth remains a central transportation gateway. It serves as a 
junction intersecting Highways 72, running east and west, and Highway 
45, which runs north and south. It is also a mecca for dedicated 
history buffs given the town's close proximity to Shiloh and other 
Civil War sites and its connection to the Corinth Campaign.
  I am sure that my colleagues will agree that the sixteen Corinth 
Civil War sites designated as National Historic Landmarks are far too 
important to be relegated solely to review in history books or by 
professional historians. Americans need to see it.
  The 106th Congress can and must highlight the importance of the Siege 
and Battle of Corinth for the millions of adults and children, both 
American and foreign, interested in learning about an essential facet 
of Americana.
  For over one hundred years, the United States Congress has advanced 
the notion that our national interest is best served by preserving 
America's historic treasures. Not only by ensuring the proper 
interpretation of important historic events, but also the places--the 
properties where pivotal military milestones occurred.
  As Ed Bearss proclaimed, ``the Battle of Corinth was the bloodiest 
battle in the State of Mississippi. Troops were brought from New 
Orleans, Mobile, Texas and Arkansas because Corinth was such an 
important place. With the fall of Corinth, Perryville, Kentucky, and 
Antietam, Maryland the Confederacy was lost.'' We owe it to our 
ancestors and to future generations to protect Corinth and the wealth 
of Civil War history that exudes from this small town.
  Mr. President, the measure offered today is vital to the successful 
interpretation and preservation of Corinth. It builds upon previous 
efforts and gives Corinth its proper status as one of America's most 
significant Civil War sites.
  Mr. President, I ask my colleagues to join with me in support of the 
Corinth Battlefield Preservation Act of 1999. A bipartisan measure 
which is widely supported by local, state, regional, national, and 
international preservation organizations.
  Along with the strong local support shown by the residents and local 
officials of Corinth and Alcorn County as well as assistance from 
several Civil War preservation groups, I would also like to take a 
moment to thank Rosemary Williams of Corinth, Woody Harrel, 
Superintendent of the Shiloh Military Park, and Anne Thompson, Manager 
of the Interim Corinth Civil War Interpretive Center. They were 
instrumental in assisting with the preparation of this important 
historic preservation legislation.
  Mr. President, I also want to thank my colleagues, Senator Cochran, 
Senator Robb, and Senator Jeffords, for their formal support of this 
pro-parks, pro-history measure.
  I hope that the rest of my colleagues will join with us in taking 
this necessary step to protect our heritage so that our children and 
grandchildren can gain an understanding of the struggles of this great 
nation. Struggles that have help shaped our American democracy and 
transformed our diverse states and peoples into a cohesive and 
prosperous union better prepared to meet the challenges and 
opportunities of the next millennium. Corinth has a story to tell 
Americans today and in the future. Corinth merits inclusion in the 
Shiloh National Military Park.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                S. 1117

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This act may be cited as the ``Corinth Battlefield 
     Preservation Act of 1999''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.

       (a) Findings.--Congress finds that--
       (1) in 1996, Congress authorized the establishment and 
     construction of a center--
       (A) to facilitate the interpretation of the Siege and 
     Battle of Corinth and other Civil War actions in the area in 
     and around the city of Corinth, Mississippi; and
       (B) to enhance public understanding of the significance of 
     the Corinth campaign and the Civil War relative to the 
     western theater of operations, in cooperation with--
       (i) State or local governmental entities;
       (ii) private organizations; and
       (iii) individuals;
       (2) the Corinth Battlefield was ranked as a priority 1 
     battlefield having critical need for coordinated nationwide 
     action by the year 2000 by the Civil War Sites Advisory 
     Commission in its report on Civil War Battlefields of the 
     United States;
       (3) there is a national interest in protecting and 
     preserving sites of historic significance associated with the 
     Civil War; and
       (4) the States of Mississippi and Tennessee and their 
     respective local units of government--
       (A) have the authority to prevent or minimize adverse uses 
     of these historic resources; and
       (B) can play a significant role in the protection of the 
     historic resources related to

[[Page S5959]]

     the Civil War battles fought in the area in and around the 
     city of Corinth.
       (b) Purposes.--The purposes of this Act are--
       (1) to establish the Corinth Unit of the Shiloh National 
     Military Park--
       (A) in the city of Corinth, Mississippi; and
       (B) in the State of Tennessee;
       (2) to direct the Secretary of the Interior to manage, 
     protect, and interpret the resources associated with the 
     Civil War Siege and the Battle of Corinth that occurred in 
     and around the city of Corinth, in cooperation with--
       (A) the State of Mississippi;
       (B) the State of Tennessee;
       (C) the city of Corinth, Mississippi;
       (D) other public entities; and
       (E) the private sector; and
       (3) to authorize a special resource study to identify other 
     Civil War sites area in and around the city of Corinth that--
       (A) are consistent with the themes of the Siege and Battle 
     of Corinth;
       (B) meet the criteria for designation as a unit of the 
     National Park System; and
       (C) are considered appropriate for including in the Unit.

     SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act:
       (1) Map.--The term ``Map'' means the map entitled ``Corinth 
     Unit'', numbered 304/80,007, and dated October 1998.
       (2) Part.--The term ``Park'' means the Shiloh National 
     Military Park.
       (3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of the Interior.
       (4) Unit.--The term ``Unit'' means the Corinth Unit of 
     Shiloh National Military Park established under section 4.

     SEC. 4. ESTABLISHMENT OF UNIT.

       (a) In General.--There is established in the States of 
     Mississippi and Tennessee the Corinth Unit of the Shiloh 
     National Military Park.
       (b) Composition of Unit.--The Unit shall be comprised of--
       (1) the tract consisting of approximately 20 acres 
     generally depicted as ``Park Boundary'' on the Map, and 
     containing--
       (A) the Battery Robinett; and
       (B) the site of the interpretive center authorized under 
     section 602 of the Omnibus Parks and Public Lands Management 
     Act of 1996 (16 U.S.C. 430f-5); and
       (2) any additional land that the Secretary determines to be 
     suitable for inclusion in the Unit that--
       (A) is under the ownership of a public entity or nonprofit 
     organization; and
       (B) has been identified by the Siege and Battle of Corinth 
     National Historic Landmark Study, dated January 8, 1991.
       (c) Availability of Map.--The Map shall be on file and 
     available for public inspection in the office of the Director 
     of the National Park Service.

     SEC. 5. LAND ACQUISITION.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary may acquire land and 
     interests in land within the boundary of the Park as depicted 
     on the Map, by--
       (1) donation;
       (2) purchase with donated or appropriated funds; or
       (3) exchange.
       (b) Exception.--Land may be acquired only by donation 
     from--
       (1) The State of Mississippi (including a political 
     subdivision of the State);
       (2) the State of Tennessee (including a political 
     subdivision of the State); or
       (3) the organization known as ``Friends of the Siege and 
     Battle of Corinth''.

     SEC. 6. PARK MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary shall administer the Unit in 
     accordance with this Act and the laws generally applicable to 
     units of the National Park System, including--
       (1) the Act entitled ``An Act to establish a National Park 
     Service, and for other purposes'', approved August 25, 1916 
     (16 U.S.C. 1 et seq.); and
       (2) the Act entitled ``An Act to provide for the 
     preservation of historic American sites, buildings, objects, 
     and antiquities of national significance, and for other 
     purposes'', approved August 21, 1935 (16 U.S.C. 461 et seq.).
       (b) Duties.--In accordance with section 602 of the Omnibus 
     Parks and Public Lands Management Act of 1996 (16 U.S.C. 
     430f-5), the Secretary shall--
       (1) commemorate and interpret, for the benefit of visitors 
     and the general public, the Siege and Battle of Corinth and 
     other Civil War actions in the area in and around the city of 
     Corinth within the larger context of the Civil War and 
     American history, including the significance of the Civil War 
     Siege and Battle of Corinth in 1862 in relation to other 
     operations in the western theater of the Civil War; and
       (2) identify and preserve surviving features from the Civil 
     War era in the area in and around the city of Corinth, 
     including both military and civilian themes that include--
       (A) the role of railroads in the Civil War;
       (B) the story of the Corinth contraband camp; and
       (C) the development of field fortifications as a tactic of 
     war.
       (c) Cooperative Agreements.--
       (1) In general.--To carry this Act, the Secretary may enter 
     into cooperative agreements with entities in the public and 
     private sectors, including--
       (A) colleges and universities;
       (B) historical societies;
       (C) State and local agencies; and
       (D) nonprofit organizations.
       (2) Technical assistance.--To develop cooperative land use 
     strategies and conduct activities that facilitate the 
     conservation of the historic, cultural, natural, and scenic 
     resources of the Unit, the Secretary may provide technical 
     assistance, to the extent that a recipient of technical 
     assistance is engaged in the protection, interpretation, or 
     commemoration of historically significant Civil War resources 
     in the area in and around the city of Corinth, to--
       (A) the State of Mississippi (including a political 
     subdivision of the State);
       (B) the State of Tennessee (including a political 
     subdivision of the State);
       (C) a governmental entity;
       (D) a nonprofit organization; and
       (E) a private property owner.
       (d) Resources Outside the Unit.--Nothing in subsection 
     (c)(2) authorizes the Secretary to own or manage any resource 
     outside the Unit.

     SEC. 7 AUTHORIZATION OF SPECIAL RESOURCE STUDY.

       (a) In General.--To determine whether certain additional 
     properties are appropriate for inclusion in the Unit, the 
     Secretary shall conduct a special resource study of land in 
     and around the city of Corinth, Mississippi, and nearby areas 
     in the State of Tennessee that--
       (1) have a relationship to the Civil War Siege and Battle 
     of Corinth in 1862; and
       (2) are under the ownership of--
       (A) the State of Mississippi (including a political 
     subdivision of the State);
       (B) the State of Tennessee (including a political 
     subdivision of the State);
       (C) a nonprofit organization; or
       (D) a private person.
       (b) Contents of Study.--The study shall--
       (1) identify the full range of resources and historic 
     themes associated with the Civil War Siege and Battle of 
     Corinth in 1862, including the relationship of the campaign 
     to other operations in the western theater of the Civil War 
     that occurred in--
       (A) the area in and around the city of Corinth; and
       (B) the State of Tennessee;
       (2) identify alternatives for preserving features from the 
     Civil War era in the area in and around the city of Corinth, 
     including both military and civilian themes involving--
       (A) the role of the railroad in the Civil War;
       (B) the story of the Corinth contraband camp; and
       (C) the development of field fortifications as a tactic of 
     war;
       (3) identify potential partners that might support efforts 
     by the Secretary to carry out this Act, including--
       (A) State entities and their political subdivisions;
       (B) historical societies and commissions;
       (C) civic groups; and
       (D) nonprofit organizations;
       (4) identify alternatives to avoid land use conflicts; and
       (5) include cost estimates for any necessary activity 
     associated with the alternatives identified under this 
     subsection, including--
       (A) acquisition;
       (B) development;
       (C) interpretation;
       (D) operation; and
       (E) maintenance.
       (c) Report.--Not later than 1 year and 180 days after the 
     date on which funds are made available to carry out this 
     section, the Secretary shall submit a report describing the 
     findings of the study under subsection (a) to--
       (1) the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the 
     Senate; and
       (2) the Committee on Resources of the House of 
     Representatives.

     SEC. 8. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are 
     necessary to carry out this Act, including $3,000,000 for the 
     construction of an interpretive center under section 602(d) 
     of title VI of the Omnibus Parks and Public Lands Management 
     Act of 1996 (16 U.S.C. 430f-59d)).
                                 ______