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First Battle of
Kinston Battlefield Park
Harriet's
Chapel Site
This part of the battlefield is on
highway 258 about quarter of a mile from the Kinston Visitors and
Information Center. .
The story of Harriet’s Chapel
and the battle is one of excitement, turmoil, defeat and coming together.
The church is often mentioned in various records of the First Battle of
Kinston. Union forces were marching toward Kinston in December of 1862 as
the Christmas season was drawing near. The Confederate troops stationed at
Kinston were gathering on the south side of the Neuse River in preparation
for battle. One of the defensive positions taken was at Harriett’s Chapel.
Soldiers took their place inside the church and watched from the windows for
the advancing enemy while other soldiers positioned themselves behind the
north side of the church. For many it was their first time in battle and
they were about to taste the rage and horror of war. Perhaps being in a
church gave some a false sense of security. The Union troops arrived at the
swamp not far from the church and fought their way through the mire while
Union cannons were firing over their heads into the Confederate forces. The
cries of the wounded filled the air while trees all around were catching
afire from the firing of cannons and guns. Slowly at first the Union soldier
emerged from the swamp and saw Harriet’s Chapel on a slight rise ahead of
them. They could see the enemy inside the church with guns pointed their
way and at the same time could see the feet and legs of soldiers on the
other side of the wooden church. Gun fire was blazing from all directions.
The beating of hearts and fear were with every soldier as they perform
gallantly as the records later recorded. The Confederate soldiers were
outnumbered 4 to 1, so they began to pull back to the bridge that crossed
the Neuse River. On reaching the church the Union soldiers found both
wounded and dead rebels inside the building. The battle was over in a
matter of hours, Kinston and the men that fought here were to never be the
same again. The church building was soon turned into a field hospital where
both Union and Confederates were tended. It was a strange war and it is a
story that needs to be told in order for all generations to know why it was
fought and what it meant. The old wooden church located in the Kinston
Battlefield Park will help tell that story.
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