Civil War Symposium
“North Carolina, 1865: a Civil War Symposium”
By: Derrick Brown
On September 14-15, 2013, Civil War enthusiasts from across the region will gather in Smithfield, North Carolina for a symposium f
ocused on the Civil War’s fiery conclusion in the Tar Heel state. “North Carolina, 1865: a Civil War Symposium,” will be hosted by Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site, and sponsored by the Friends of Bentonville Battlefield and the Johnston County Convention and Visitors Bureau. Saturday’s slate will feature prominent Civil War historians discussing various aspects of the 1865 Carolina’s Campaign. This will be followed by Sunday battlefield tours led by legendary battlefield guide Edwin C. Bearss, and Dr. Mark L. Bradley the foremost historian on the Battle of Bentonville.
Saturday’s activities will take place at the Paul A. Johnston Auditorium at Johnston Community College and will feature six speakers, all experts on the 1865 campaign. Richmond National Battlefield Park Ranger Robert M. “Bert” Dunkerly will lead off Saturday morning speaking about the Confederate surrender at Bennett Place. Mr. Dunkerly will be followed by Colonel (Ret.) Wade Sokolosky who will discuss the battles of Wyse Fork and Averasboro, precursors to Bentonville. Dr. Chris Fonvielle the author of the Wilmington Campaign: Last Rays of Departing Hope will present on Union naval and combined arms activities in North Carolina in 1865. After a short lunch break, Civil War historian and cavalry expert, Eric Wittenberg, will address the role of cavalry during the Carolina’s Campaign. Following Mr. Wittenberg will be Dr. Mark L. Bradley, the author of The Battle of Bentonville: Last Stand In the Carolinas, and This Astounding Close: The Road to Bennett Place, presenting on Bentonville, the climactic battle of the campaign. The keynote speaker on Saturday will be Mr. Edwin C. “Ed” Bearss, Chief Historian Emeritus of the National Park Service, discussing his recollections from a lifetime of leading battlefield tours across the country and world.
Sunday will feature the rare opportunity for bus tours of the battlefield with Mark Bradley and Ed Bearss. Groups from across the country reserve these guides, but rarely are their tours available to the general public. Additionally, this may be your only chance to see them lead a tour of the battlefield together. Space for the Sunday tour is extremely limited, and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis once tickets go on sale in March.
Ticket prices are as follows: Saturday only: $25.00
Saturday only (student): $15.00
Sunday bus tour which includes Saturday Admission: $100.00
Box lunches will be available on Saturday for an additional $10.00. Although Johnston Community College is located near several restaurants, it is recommended that you purchase a box lunch if you would like to hear all six speakers on Saturday in their entirety. For additional information contact (910) 594-0789, or visit www.fobb.net.
- Confederate President Jefferson Davis calls for March 27 to be a day of fasting, humiliation, and prayer.
- Following the Underground Railroad Route By Bicycle
- March is Women's History Month! Read the fascinating accounts of women spies hiding coded messages in women's hair, conductors of the Underground Railroad, soldiers disguised as men, surgeons, and advisors to the President!
- Teachers tackle race, economic disparity and history
- The President's Hymn: 'Give Thanks All Ye People'
- Thanksgiving Day during the Civil War
- Lincoln’s Thanksgiving proclamation in a divided time: ‘one heart and one voice by the whole American People’
- What Abraham Lincoln found reading the Book of Job amid civil war
- Civil War stories on display at Lincoln Highway museum in Unity
- Who was Henry Benning, for whom Fort Benning in Columbus was named?
- Fort Gordon Army Base: Who was John Brown Gordon?
- From the Civil War to the football field, we have been celebrating the wrong values
- History and Healing: Removing Controversial Artifacts from the Civic Landscape
- How to Reframe the Civil War in the Classroom
- Man scores Abraham Lincoln autograph in box of trading cards
- Native Americans' role in the Civil War
- Abraham Lincoln Healed a Divided Nation. We Should Heed His Words Today.
- An escaped slave was the 'Florence Nightingale’ of Indiana's Civil War regiment
- A Southern Democrat survived impeachment trap and came to be in charge of Reconstruction
- New Statue Unveiled In Response To Richmond's Confederate Monuments