It’s Wednesday, so what’s in (and out of) the attic with Jim?
Today’s special piece of New Bern History safely left the attic and accompanied us out to New Bern Battlefield Park, as this week we reflect on the 161st Anniversary of the Battle of New Bern. It is surreal and humbling to stand with this artwork among the well-preserved redans and walk the hallowed ground on which Union and Confederate soldiers lost their lives on the morning of March 14, 1862.
Pictured here along our park trail is this 161-year-old Battle of New Bern print from our vast image collection drawn by William Momberger and engraved by J.C. McRae expressly for the book "THE HISTORY OF THE CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA" by John S.C. Abbott, published in 1866.
Quick Facts - estimated casualties for the battle: 1080 total. The fierce six-hour battle in the swamps and along the railroad five miles south of New Bern on March 14, 1862, proved to be a major victory for the Union and led to the ensuing occupation of New Bern for the remainder of the Civil War. Although Union forces never seized and held the rail line at Goldsboro, their presence in New Bern required the Confederacy to divert troops to the railroad’s defense that might have been used in the critical battles in Virginia.
There is no better time to visit our Battlefield Park then during our upcoming Hallowed Ground Lantern Tour, March 23-25. New Bern Historical Society’s newest storytelling event, you will be taken on a 60-minute guided, lantern-lit walk through the wooded battlefield trails, where spirits from New Bern's Civil War past will share their inspiring stories of courage and conviction. Please visit our website www.newbernhistorical.org for details and reservations. We are proud to share our pristine, all volunteer-maintained Battlefield Park with the public year-round, seven days a week during daylight hours. See you on the trails!
#NewBernHistoricalSociety #civilwarhistory #newbernnc #visitnewbern #lanterntour