Event marks battle's 146th anniversary
Staff Writer
Sunday, February 10, 2008
The sights and sounds of Civil War history came alive on Elizabeth City's waterfront Saturday.
An estimated 1,400 visitors enjoyed the Museum of the Albemarle's living history demonstrations that commemorated the 146th anniversary of The Battle of Elizabeth City.
 Brett A. Clark/Daily Advance |
| Civil War re-enactors fire a cannon at Waterfront Park during Civil War Living History Day Saturday afternoon. The event, sponsored by Museum of the Albemarle, was held to commemorate the 146th anniversary of the Battle of Elizabeth City, which was fought on the Pasquotank River, Feb. 10, 1862. Approximately 1,400 visitors attended the event. |
 Brett A. Clark/Daily Advance |
| Using a rivet forge, Kirt Jarrett of Goldsboro demonstrates his blacksmithing skills on the Museum of the Albemarle green during Civil War Living History Day, Saturday. The event was held to commemorate the 146th anniversary of the Battle of lizabeth City, fought on the Pasquotank River on Feb. 10, 1862. |
Though relatively unknown among Civil War battles, the Feb. 10, 1862 skirmish was pivotal because it helped give Union troops control of the Albemarle region.
Throughout the day, noted authors and historians, including Chris Meekins, Bruce Long, Peter Rascoe and Alex Leary gave talks that helped bring alive the history of the period.
Attendance was nearly triple that for last year's program, said museum education coordinator Charlotte Patterson, who called the event a huge success.
Many parents who are Civil War buffs brought their children to watch interpreters demonstrate how men, women and children managed to survive 150 years ago without cars, television sets, cell phones or computers.
"I wanted to see the demonstrations," said local resident John Leidy, whose 8-year-old daughter Julia seemed just as excited. "I'm interested in the battles. The war was more of an important constitutional issue about states' rights."
Philip Winslow and his son Jared, a 13-year-old student at Perquimans Middle School, said the demonstrations helped bring to life the history they've read about in books.
Philip Winslow said the Civil War was much more than a war over slavery.
"It was actually about state's rights," he said.
One demonstrator, blacksmith Kirt Jarrett of Goldsboro, was busy hammering into creation everyday tools and utensils that soldiers needed. Jarrett used a portable pump-operated forge that stoked coals to red-hot temperatures.
The blacksmiths didn't make the bullets — they created the molds through which soldiers poured molten lead to produce bullets.
Another interpreter, Michael Ross of Currituck County, was dressed in a Confederate army uniform representing the 26th North Carolina Regiment. He was assisted by his daughter Katherine, 12, who was also dressed in period clothing.
Although children weren't to be found at Civil War encampments, Ross said he makes an exception so his daughter can enjoy the same thrills he's had re-living history.
His interest in the Civil War is something personal. His great-great-great grandfather, Thomas Ross, fought with a North Carolina regiment at the Battle of Gettysburg, Ross said. Thomas Ross died during the infamous Pickett's Charge — the decisive turning point of the battle for the eventually victorious Union — on the third and final day of the fighting, July 3, 1863.
"My reason for getting involved is to honor him," Ross said.
