Lenoir
County Battlefields Commission
The Lenoir County
Battlefields Commission is a committee of the
Historical Preservation Group
A 501 (c) (3) Non-Profit Organization
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The past is the glue that
binds us together. Who we are, what we think, what we believe are
products of our cultural heritage. Americans have a vast shared
heritage that makes us who we are and that ground us. The Civil War
changed our nation in immeasurable ways. Before the Civil War people
spoke of these United States, after the Civil War we became The
United States. The Civil War ended the institution of slavery.
Battlefields, hospitals, headquarters houses, earthworks,
graveyards, monuments are all tangible remains of the Civil War.
Things we can see touch and experience. James McPherson, one of the
nation’s most renowned Civil War scholars tells a story about one of
his graduate students breaking down in tears upon visiting the
Little Round Top at Gettysburg. His student could not have felt that
emotion had Little Round Top become a subdivision. Historic sites
are a tangible and real link to our past. Unlike documents a site
can evoke a sense of time and place, it can help us understand how
an event occurred and why. When we lose an historic site we lose
more than just a house, a forest, or a field we lose part of our
culture, a part of us that cannot be replaced.
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-It enables current and
future generations to better understand the connection between
military conflicts
and the importance of social and political changes in American
History.
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-It ensures that both
tragedies of war and our nation’s hard-won advances are never
forgotten.
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-It
honors those who fought and died for their ideals, their homes, and
their families.
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Summary of Battle of Kinston
Description: A Union
expedition led by Brig. Gen. John G. Foster left New Berne in December
to disrupt the Wilmington & Weldon Railroad at Goldsborough. The advance
was stubbornly contested by Evans’s Brigade near Southwest Creek at
Woodington and the following day at the Kinston Bridge. The
Confederates were outnumbered and withdrew north of the Neuse River in
the direction of Goldsborough. Foster continued his movement the next
day, taking the River Road, south of the Neuse River heading for
Goldsborough.
SOURCE: US Congressional Advisory Report
PROJECTS FOR KINSTON BATTLEFIELD PARK
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WYSE
FORK BATTLEFIELD
Other Names for
Battle: Wilcox’s Bridge, Wise’s Fork, Second Kinston, Second
Southwest Creek, Kelly's Mill Pond
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Summary of Battle of Wyse
Fork:
The
Battle of Wyse Fork was a part of the Campaign of the Carolinas
(February-April).
The dates of the battle was March 7-10,
1865
Principal Commanders: Maj. Gen. John
Schofield [US]; Gen. Braxton Bragg [CS]
Forces Engaged: Divisions: 20,500 total
(US 12,000; CS 8,500)
Estimated Casualties: 2,601 total (US
1,101; CS 1,500)
Description:
Schofield
planned to advance inland from Wilmington in February, at the same time
assigning Maj. Gen. Jacob Cox to direct Union forces from New Bern
toward Goldsboro. On March 7, Cox’s advance was stopped by Hoke’s and
Hagood’s divisions under Gen. Braxton Bragg’s command at Southwest Creek
below Kinston. On the 8th, the Confederates attempted to seize the
initiative by attacking the Union flanks. After initial success, the
Confederate attacks stalled because of faulty communications. On March
9, the Union forces were reinforced and beat back Bragg’s renewed
attacks on the 10th after heavy fighting. Bragg withdrew across the
Neuse River and was unable to prevent the fall of Kinston on March 14.
Result(s): Union victory
Source:US
Congressional Advisory Report
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PROJECTS FOR WYSE
FORK BATTLEFIELD |
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Living History and
Other Events |
Interpretive Plan for Kinston Battlefield Park is here
Historical Preservation Group, Inc., a
not-for-profit organization based in Kinston, has received a grant from
the National Park Service’s American Battlefield Protection Program to
create an interpretive plan for the First Battle of Kinston. The Historical Research and Consulting firm of
Mudpuppy and Waterdog have written a comprehensive interpretive
plan for the First Battle of Kinston Battlefield Park They were here
in February and held a community meeting to get input from the people of
Kinston and Lenoir County in what they would like to see in an
interpretive plan for the Kinston Battlefield. Out of that meeting a
desire was expressed to have an interpretation that would appeal to
young people and families as well as the history buff. Interpretation tells the
story of a place—the human stories that help people today understand and
make a connection with people, places and events that took place long
ago. It can take many forms including exhibits, trails with waysides,
costumed interpreters, tours and living history. The interpretive plan
will identify the stories that convey the spirit and significance of the
First Battle of Kinston and will outline ways to present those stories.
One of the many exciting parts of the Kinston Interpretive plan is the
“Battlefield Trail” that will wind through a section of the
battlefield. There is not another such trail in the state.
The Civil War battle was
fought on December 14, 1862, when Union forces commanded by General John
G. Foster, sent to disrupt the Wilmington & Weldon Railroad at
Goldsboro, met in battle General Nathan Evans’s Confederate Brigade near
Kinston Bridge. Portions of the Kinston Battlefield are listed in the
National Register of Historic Places
The development of First
Battle of Kinston Battlefield Park is a work in progress. At present the
battlefield is interpreted at five different sites
Site 1 Information and Visitors Center
At present
the tour begins at the Information and Visitors Center at the Highway 70
and Hwy 258 intersection Highway 70 where you may view a video that
relates the times of
the First Battle of Kinston that took place
in December 1862
For many of the soldiers it was the first time in
battle. The young men of aristocratic New England families and the
middle class families of the Mid-Atlantic States were fighting to
preserve the Union. They were horrified at the battle that took place on
a cold Sabbath morning against the southern boys who were defending
their land against what they believed was northern aggression. At the
visitors center you will also find displays of Civil War relics that
have been found on the battlefields in the area.
It
was at this location where Confederate troops were racing for the other
side of the Neuse River Bridge with Union soldier in hot pursuit. 600
Confederate soldiers did not make it and were captured by Union forces.
Site 2 Woodington Site
Head south
on Hwy 258 to the Woodington Community. Go about 4 miles and you will
cross Southwest Creek. About a quarter of a mile on the left you will
see a Civil War Trails Bugle marker. At this
location is a parking area and an interpretive sign relating the events
of the first day of battle which took place in the Woodington area at
Southwest Creek.
Site 3 Harriet’s Chapel/Starr's Battery Site
Head back
north on Hwy 258 about 4 miles you will see on your right a Civil Wars
Trails Bugle sign. Pull into parking area near the Civil War Trails
marker.
Enjoy the walking trail on this
two acre site that was once where fighting took place around a small
church called Harriet’s Chapel. This site is the middle of the
battlefield and the location of where the fiercest fighting took
place. Here you will find a Civil War Trails marker that will
interpret the site.
This area is the location site of Starr's Battery and the little
church known as Harriet's Chapel. The
church was riddled with shelling from musket and canon fire. It was
destroyed by the battle.
The church
located on the site is not the original Harriet's Chapel but a 1860s
church that serves as a tool to interpret the role of Harriet's Chapel
during the battle. A short walk away is a trail that leads to
Starr's Battery, a Confederate artillery position. Here you will
find a boardwalk that goes along side the breastworks and on reaching
the battery the boardwalk become an elevate height to better provide a
view of the artillery position.
Site 4 Wil King Memorial Site
Go north on
Hwy 258 for less than a quarter of a mile to 258 and 70 intersections.
Turn right on Hwy 70. Go about quarter of a mile to next stop light.
Turn right and the Wil King Memorial Site will be just ahead on
the left
This area is where the Union forces first broke through the Confederate
lines.
The first site to be developed on the Kinston battlefield has been
named for
Wil King.
It is a beautifully landscaped 27 acre area
that had been the Confederate’s left flank. It was at this location
where the Federals first broke through the Confederate line. Enjoy a
walk along side a Bern that is lined with markers representing each
state. Here you will learn of the various states and regiments that
fought in the battle from both the Union and Confederacy.
THE PLAZA:
There is a brick wall with the name of the
battle and date of battle inscribed on the front. Behind the wall is a
fifty foot circular brick plaza. At one end of the plaza is a granite
memorial monument for Wil King. At the other end of the plaza are
three flag poles. The center pole flies the American flag. The other
flag poles fly the period flags for the Union and the Confederacy. A
spotlight brightens the plaza and flag poles. The flags fly 24 hours a
day. There are two markers, each placed at the walkways entering the
plaza. One is a Civil War Trails marker interpreting what took place
on the site during the battle. The other marker is a copy of a
resolution written by the Lenoir County Battlefields Commission
expressing their gratitude for Wil’s work. Beyond the plaza is a berm
that circles around the site. There is a walking path atop of the berm.
At intervals along side of the berm are State markers for each state
that fought in the battle. On theses markers are listed all the
regiments from a given state. A state flag representing the given state
is affix to the marker. The state flags fly only on special occasions.
Dwarf Magnolia trees line along the edge of the site near Meadowbrook
Drive and Harriet Drive. A parking area is in front of the brick
wall across
the road. Rail fencing down both sides of Harriet Drive.
Site 5 Neuse River Site
Go back to
Hwy 70 and turn left. While on Hwy 70 bear to your right just before
the intersection. As you round the curve you will see a Civil War Bugle
sign. Turn right into parking area.
Here you will find a Civil War Trails marker and have
a view of the Neuse River which had served as a natural line of defense
for the Confederacy. The marker will relate the story of the charging
of the bridge and its burning as the battle reached a climax ending with
the Confederate forces withdrawing back to the other side of Kinston.
Rivermount Planning
The Rivermount Site
is located on Highway 258 South (Richlands Highway) about a quarter of a
mile south of the Hwy 70 S and 258 Intersection
The
Rivermont Site of the Kinston Battlefield is about 100 acres. This site
will be for living histories and educational exhibits that display
earthworks, trenches and abatises There are plans for a re-eneactment
area, camp area, military drill field, civilian history area,
educational area, and trails with interpretation.
The
Interpretive Plan for this site will tell stories not only of the First
Battle of Kinston but of the people that fought in the battle.
Capture Site Planning
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Interesting Sites on Why and
How
To Save
Battlefields
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Economics
Historic
Preservation
Easements
is
a Historic Preservation Tool with
Federal Tax Benefit
(See below under Preservation)
Historically
Preservation
Flexible Tools For
Battlefield Preservation
Produced by: The
Military Heritage Project Palmetto
Conservation Foundation
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