FOUR OAKS–The rustle of leaves and the crackle of the open hearth will greet visitors to Bentonville Battlefield for the site’s civilian living history program and fall festival on Oct. 20, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The free program will include demonstrations by costumed interpreters and a festival atmosphere that will offer wagon rides, period carnival games, a corn shucking contest, and more!
Historic interpreters will demonstrate the daily life of women and children who were left home when their husbands, brothers and fathers went off to war. They had to overcome many obstacles including food shortages and economic inflation. The day’s events will offer numerous demonstrations, including open hearth cooking, sewing, knitting, weaving, and period children’s games. All activities are free.
The Battle of Bentonville, fought March 19-21, 1865, involved 80,000 troops and was the last Confederate offensive against Union Gen. William T. Sherman. Bentonville Battlefield is located at 5466 Harper House Road in Four Oaks, three miles north of Newton Grove on S.R. 1008. For more information, visit the Bentonville’s website or call (910) 594-0789.
Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site is part of the Division of State Historic Sites in the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources.