Civil War Battle of Fort Branch 150th Anniversary (Wilmington, Albemarle: to buy, construction)

[goldenage1]

I was looking through the last issue of Our State Magazine and saw an event on the weekend of November 3 and 4, 2012. It will observe the 150th anniversary of the battle of Fort Branch with a re-enactment of the battle. It will be in the town of Hamilton in Martin County, which is north of Highway 64, between Tarboro and Williamston.

This could be a good event to educate the kids, particulary as a day trip. Some details here: http://www.fortbranchcivilwarsite.com/ The site describes the importance as:

"Fort Branch Confederate Earthen Fort Civil War Site
... is located two miles below Hamilton, North Carolina and 60 miles upriver of the town of Plymouth. Sitting 70 feet above a bend in the Roanoke River, this Confederate earthen fort provided a safe and clear view of Union gunboats approaching from down river.

Eleven cannon offered significant protection for the railway bridge over the river at Weldon, a weak link in the "Lifeline of the Confederacy" between Wilmington, NC and Richmond, VA. The fort also protected the nearby construction site of the ironclad ram C.S.S. Albemarle which later helped regain control of the lower Roanoke River and Albemarle Sound by sinking wooden Union ships. Citizens of the entire Upper Roanoke Valley benefited from the fort, as well."

It the only Civil War site in the south with its original cannons in place. Eight of the 11 cannons were recovered from the Roanoke River. The site is supported by a private foundation.

[coffeebean330]

I saw that too and wondered where Fort Branch was. I've never been to that area of the state. That is very much my type of thing. How long does it take to get there from Wilmington?

[goldenage1]

Originally Posted by coffeebean330

I saw that too and wondered where Fort Branch was. I've never been to that area of the state. That is very much my type of thing. How long does it take to get there from Wilmington?

Google maps says a bit over 3 hours using I-40 and 11, or Highway 17. The battlefield opens from about 1:30 to 5:30 on Saturday or Sunday afternoons, so it would make a good day trip.

The area along I-64 around Williamston is mostly agricultural, and the cotton harvest will be over by then. It might be a good time to buy produce or meat from the farm stands.

[coffeebean330]

Originally Posted by goldenage1

Google maps says a bit over 3 hours using I-40 and 11, or Highway 17. The battlefield opens from about 1:30 to 5:30 on Saturday or Sunday afternoons, so it would make a good day trip.

The area along I-64 around Williamston is mostly agricultural, and the cotton harvest will be over by then. It might be a good time to buy produce or meat from the farm stands.

That sounds nice. I prefer taking scenic ways to get places. I-40 is so boring.