By Claudia Houston, New Bern Historical Society
A young African American barber from New Bern died in France in this month, 101 years ago. His name is etched on a monument at the Craven County Courthouse. Who was he and what was his story?
Born in December 1896, Castillia Henry grew up with his parents and siblings at 90 ½ Queen Street in New Bern. His father, Castillia Henry Sr., had a variety of jobs: as a drayman (wagon driver), porter, and stevedore. His mother, Henrietta Fisher Henry, died prior to 1910 and Castillia continued to reside with his father and siblings. During this period he became a barber, working with his brother Amos.
During April 1917, President Woodrow Wilson declared war on Germany. Castillia registered for the draft and on 1 April 1918 was inducted into the Army in New Bern. He was sent to Camp Grant, Rockford, Illinois to begin training, and within two months found himself on board the Agamemnon on his way to France, along with other members of Company A of the 365th Infantry, 92nd Division of the Army.
The 92nd Infantry Division consisted of approximately fifteen thousand officers and soldiers. The Division was organized in October 1917 at Camp Funston, Kansas and included African American soldiers from all parts of the United States. Units were segregated and due to prejudices of the era, most African Americans were assigned to labor companies. The 92nd and 93rd Divisions were the only all African American divisions allowed in combat in the United States Army during World War I. Before they left for France in 1918, the 92nd received the name “Buffalo Soldier Division” as a tribute to the Buffalo soldier regiments that fought in the US Army on the frontier during westward expansion. Native Americans had dubbed them Buffalo soldiers due to their tenaciousness as well as their physical appearance.
Castillia’s unit was deployed to the front lines in France during August 1918 as part of the American Expeditionary Forces, which fought alongside the British and French armies in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, one of the last Allied offenses of the War. This immense military offensive began on September 26 and ended when Armistice was declared on November 11, 1918. The deadliest campaign in US history, the offensive claimed the lives of over 26,000 American soldiers. The last push took place from November 10-11 and the 92nd Division was ordered to take the heights in Champey. During this mission, on November 10, 21-year-old Private Castillia Henry was killed in action. Sadly, it was just one day before the Armistice.
Henry was buried at the American Cemetery in St. Mihiel, France. On 13 May 1921, his remains were disinterred and sent to Antwerp to be transported aboard the Wheaton to Hoboken, New Jersey. His body was received by his father on 30 July 1921 and Private Castillia Henry was finally laid to rest at New Bern National Cemetery, Section 12, Grave 3434. His name was later engraved on the World War I monument on the grounds of the Craven County Courthouse which honors those who lost their lives in the Great War.
During this month of Thanksgiving, let us remember young Castillia Henry and all those who sacrificed their lives for our freedom. Grave of Castillia Henry, killed in action in France, November 10, 1918.
Two Carteret County men who came to New Bern in the 1800’s established lucrative businesses and eventually became partners, leading to a historic event of the Civil War in eastern North Carolina. Who were these men and what was significant about the month of October 1862?
economic legacy in eastern Carolina that lasts to this day. Who was this man and what did he do to benefit this area?
Barden was described in his day as an ultra-conservative. He distrusted bureaucracy in Washington, as well as inflation and corruption and did not want governmental intrusion in the everyday life of his constituents. While not all of his positions were universally popular, he was deeply admired for his devotion to the people and well-being of eastern North Carolina. His most enduring legacy was the acquisition during his tenure as congressman of three major military bases during the 1940’s: Cherry Point Marine Air Station in Havelock, Camp Lejeune Marine Base in Jacksonville, and Seymour Johnson Air Force base in Goldsboro. The eastern Carolina area had suffered huge economic losses in such areas as tobacco, textile and manufacturing. The acquisition of those military bases provided employment for thousands of eastern north Carolinians and a huge economic boon for the area. Thus, New Bernian Hap Barden’s legacy endures to this day.
In the 1930’s, comedian and witty political commentator Will Rogers was quite popular. But during August of 1933, Rogers wrote a newspaper column about New Bern that created a furor. What happened and why?
Did you know that in April of 1791, George Washington, first President of the United States, visited and slept in New Bern?
The Battle of New Bern took place on March 14, 1862. Of the many stories of the brave Union and Confederate soldiers who fought that day, one of the most interesting is that of 21-year-old student Frazar Stearns. Stearns was a member of the Amherst College Class of 1863, where his father, William Stearns, was the college president. William wanted his son to become a minister, but Frazar wanted to be a scientist and was especially interested in chemistry. Frazar’s professor of chemistry, 35-year-old William Smith Clark, became an officer in the 21st Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry and encouraged many of his students to join. William Stearns initially denied approval for his son to enlist, but finally relented on the condition that Frazar join the 21st Massachusetts and remain close to Professor Clark. Lt. Col. Clark was in command of the regiment and 1st Lt. Stearns became his Adjutant.
What New Bern property was listed on the National Register for Historic Places in 1997 and took an Act of Congress to create? If you answered the New Bern National Cemetery at 1711 National Avenue, established on February 1, 1867, you are correct. Why was it established, who is buried there and where were soldiers buried prior to its creation?
On January 1, 1867, a great celebration took place in New Bern. A tournament or “Ring” was held in which twenty-two knights, representing New Bern, Wilson and Kinston competed on a race track set up on the snow-covered banks of the Neuse River. Stands were erected for judges, the orator and the musicians, and wagons were provided on the outside of the track for spectators. At 11 am approximately 3,000 spectators, guests and participants left the Gaston House Hotel accompanied by the New Bern Comet Band and proceeded to the grounds just beyond the city. The Knights were led to the arena by the Chief Marshal, Colonel John D. Whitford, who wore a yellow silk sash with a red rosette on the shoulder. His aides wore red sashes with white rosettes. The Knights, splendidly arrayed with fancy uniforms and bearing such names as Knight of Newbern, Knight of the Rolling Neuse, and Knight of Craven, were led to the speaker of the day, Ex-Governor Zebulon Vance.