Photo by Melvin and Kelvin Kestner
Remembering the War, May 6-9, 2010
The sound of cannons will reverberate during the New Bern 300th anniversary event, Remembering the War, May 6-9, 2010. More than 200 Civil War re-enactors will participate in an interpretation of the battle of New Bern with a naval bombardment, artillery fire, and infantry battle. The 7th North Carolina, Reilly’s Battery and many more units will defend against troops representing Union forces including the 21st Massachusetts Infantry and the U.S. Colored Troops. Federal vessels will fire on Union Point while spectators get a 'close-up' view of the action as troops invade and engage in and around Union Point Park. There will be two battle re-enactments on Saturday, May 8, 2010, noon and 7:00pm.
According to committee chair Lynne Harakal, "Spectators will view the battle from the center of the action making this re-enactment unique. The evening battle will be especially exciting because the crowd will see the flash of gun and artillery fire." Immediately following each battle, the Federal City Brass Band will perform its repertoire of Civil War music at Union Point Park. Comprised of professional musicians, music educators, historians and re-enactors, the band collectively represents some of the finest performers in Civil War music.
The battle re-enactment is just one part of Remembering the War, a free event, which will fill the whole weekend. The US Colored Troops National Symposium will start things off on Thursday, May 6 with an evening lecture at Tryon Palace by Hari Jones, curator and assistant director of the US African-American Civil War Memorial in Washington, DC. The symposium will continue through the weekend at the New Bern Riverfront Convention Center with workshops and lectures being offered free of charge, but require Registration
Confederate and Union encampments will be staged at Union Point Park, New Bern Academy, New Bern Riverfront Convention Center and New Bern Civil War Battlefield Park. There will be free tours and exhibits at the Attmore-Oliver House, New Bern Civil War Battlefield, New Bern Academy Civil War Room, and James City Slave Quarters and Cemetery. Period demonstrations including artillery, torpedoes, Sutlers (merchants), and a Civil War hospital will punctuate the weekend. A self-guided walking tour will show both visitors and residents alike important houses and buildings from New Bern’s occupation during the Civil War.
All events are free to the public. Plan to be a part of this exciting weekend and join the many re-enactors as they converge on New Bern. Visit New Bern's 300th Anniversary Committee website for a complete schedule of events.
Submitted by: Kathy Morrison of the Remembering the War Committee for New Bern's 300th Anniversary
I too am looking forward to going to the "Remembering the War" next weekend. It's a great photo opportunity! Here's a few I shot a couple years ago, at a similar event.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Bruce! Hope to see you during over the weekend. Your photos are very nice - Wendy
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