Battle of Wyse Fork
 

Battle here March 7-10, 1865, was an attempt by Confederates to delay or halt a Federal advance on Goldsboro. The Union move was ordered by Gen. William T. Sherman in order to consolidate Northern forces and open a supply line to the coast. Able to slow the advance a little, the Confederates withdrew and Union troops continued west. This was the second largest battle fought in North Carolina with nearly 25,000 troops involved.

Three waysides with interpretive materials along Route 70 east of Kinston describe the battle:

• Wyse Fork (Hoke's Attacks), Trails marker at intersection of Wyse Fork Road and Route 70, five miles east of Kinston - Marker describes the March 8 and 10 Confederate attacks against the Union advance toward Kinston.

• Wayside with large historical marker/map at the northeast intersection of Route 70 and British Road.

• Wyse Fork (Last Mass Capture of Union Troops), Trails marker at in the Woodman of the World building, three miles east of Kinston - Confederate attacks here March 8 seized about 1,000 Union prisoners and forced a Federal retreat back toward New Bern. The tide turned later, with Union troops occupying Kinston.
  
  also see

• Carolinas Campaign
• First Battle of Kinston
   

Additional Markers Coming in 2007