Battles For New Berne. Civil War Re-enactments.
On Saturday, March 11 and Sunday, March 12 as many as 1,500 re-enactors will come to Western Craven County for the Battles of New Bern, commemorating the 155th anniversary of the original Battle of New Bern.
The Battle of New Bern was in 1862, in which New Bern fell under Union control for the remainder of the war. The Battle of Batchelder’s Creek came two years later in Western Craven County, a victory for the Confederacy.
The re-enactments will include the Battle of New Bern on Saturday and the Battle of Batchelder’s Creek on Sunday. It will include two separate battlefields.
It will be held at what is known as the Kinsey Farm, 7860 N.C. 55, Dover, near Fort Barnwell, and hosted by Rains Brothers Camp 1370, the 7th NCT Co. F, 5th NCT Co. D, Northampton Artillery and Reilly’s Battery Co. D.
Saturday night will also feature a battlefield hospital setting titled “War is Horrible,” set under candlelight in the woods.
The two days also will have militia demonstrations, along with military and civilian camps, with sutlers, the vendors of the day during the war. They will feature Civil War memorabilia ranging from uniforms to black powder.
Tickets are $3, with no ATM machines on site.
For gate prices and information, go online to battlesfornewberne.com.
Charlie Hall can be reached at 252-635-5667 or 252-259-7585, or charlie.hall@newbernsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @CharlieHallNBSJ
