DURHAM—Travel back in time on a free wagon ride to the Confederate army’s recruitment station at Bennett Place Historic Site on Saturday Oct. 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday Oct, 11 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. At the soldiers’ encampment, kids can “sign up” to become new recruits and then try some hardtack before receiving formal “enlistment papers” and bounty money to take home.
“Hands-on fun special events like this are increasingly popular at Bennett Place,” says Site Manager John Guss. “Parents and kids like to pack a picnic and sit under the oaks, loblollies and sweet gums, or explore the nature trail.” Photographers may get a snap of the wild turkey, deer, and other wildlife often seen in the area, which adjoins Duke Forest. Admission to Bennett Place Historic Site, part of the Department of Cultural Resources, is free.
Historically, civilians raced to join the Southern cause in the early stages of the Civil War. Presentations and displays around the campfire to help tell the story of military life include the local Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp and Daughters of Confederate Veterans Chapter. At the living history encampment, the “recruits” can have a thorough health examination by Doc Jones, the regimental surgeon. They will then be taught a big part of the life of the soldier – marching in formation, saluting and standing at attention.
Jeff Toalson will be on hand Saturday to recount the stories he has found in diaries and letters. The prominent author of “No Soap, No Pay, Diarrhea, Dysentery, and Desertion” will read from and autograph copies of his latest book “Boots and Saddles,” which contains personal accounts of the war expressed in letters between a husband and wife.
Suzy Barile’s new book about the exploits of a daughter of the University of North Carolina President at the time of the Civil War, “Undaunted Heart, The True Story of a Southern Belle and a Yankee General,” will be featured in a talk on Sunday. The author will autograph copies of the book following the reading.
During this two-day Civil War living history and author book signing event, the visitor center will be open. Visitors can view some of the many unique Civil War related artifacts interpreting the life of the Bennett family and the soldiers serving in North Carolina during the time of the Surrender negotiations. The theater presentation “Dawn of Peace” will be shown throughout the weekend. Visitors can purchase a variety of Civil War and Bennett Place-related souvenirs and collectibles at the museum gift shop.
Once the home of Piedmont North Carolina yeoman farmers, James and Nancy Bennitt (or Bennett), the farm became the site of negotiations which led to the largest surrender of the American Civil War. On April 26, 1865, General Joseph E. Johnston surrendered the Army of Tennessee and all existing soldiers in the field throughout Florida Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina, to General William Tecumseh Sherman. The total number of Confederate soldiers surrendered was 89,270, making it the largest troop surrender of the war.
Three more noteworthy armies surrendered in Alabama, Louisiana, and the Oklahoma Territory. These surrenders, together with General Robert E. Lee’s capitulation to Gen. Ulysses A. Grant at Appomattox, effectively disbanded all Confederate forces.
The mission of Bennett Place State Historic Site is to preserve and interpret the history of the largest surrender of the Civil War and the lives of 19th century yeoman farmers such as the Bennetts.
Bennett Place is located in the western part of Durham, North Carolina and can be reached by taking HWY 15-501 North, the Durham Freeway (HWY 147), or I-85; follow the brown historic site signs. For more information on this program or Bennett Place, please call 919-383-4345, email bennett@ncdcr.gov or visit our website at http://www.bennettplace.nchistoricsites.org.
Administered by the Division of State Historic Sites, Bennett Place State Historic Site is part of the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources, the state agency dedicated to the promotion and protection of North Carolina’s arts, history, and culture. For more information, visit www.ncculture.com.