Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Civil War Encampment

Date: August 15, 2011
Contact: Outer Banks Group, 252-473-2111

Few visitors to the Outer Banks realize that 150 years ago these same islands were Civil War battlefields. The barrier islands of the North Carolina coast and the adjacent Pamlico and Albemarle sounds were the gateway to the rest of the state. Whoever could control these barrier islands and sounds could control North Carolina.

Although early in the Civil War, the late August 1861 Battle of Fort Hatteras and Fort Clark, both Confederate forts near Hatteras Inlet, was a pivotal win for the Union. The Union attack signified many firsts in the war: the first combined Army and Navy operation, the first amphibious assault, and the first African American gun crew to fire on Confederates.

To commemorate the sesquicentennial of this battle, the Friends of The Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum Flags Over Hatteras Committee and the National Park Service will be hosting a living history Civil War encampment on the grounds of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, August 27 and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, August 28, 2011. The encampment will feature Union and Confederate Civil War re-enactor regiments representing regiments that were involved in the Hatteras Inlet battle action in August 1861. The event is free and open to the public.

The encampment will be open daily for viewing and visitors are encouraged to walk through each camp to talk with re-enactors and view the various displays and exhibits being featured. Visitors will be able to see the type of equipment and personal belongings of the soldiers, a working field battery forge, medical equipment and surgery methods for treating the wounded, displays of civilian life and clothing of the period, and special exhibits on the Union Navy.  

Demonstrations are scheduled as follows (schedule subject to change):

Saturday, August 27^th:

9 a.m. Union and Confederate Company Formation and Inspection;

10 a.m. Naval Boarding Drill;

11 a.m. Confederate Infantry Drill;

12 p.m. Confederate Artillery Firing;

1 p.m. Union Bayonet Drill;

3 p.m. Confederate Musket Firing;

4 p.m. Confederate Artillery Firing;

5 p.m. Union Infantry Drill.

Sunday, August 28^th:

9 a.m. Union and Confederate Company Formation and Inspection;

10 a.m. Naval Boarding Drill;

11 a.m. Confederate Musket and Artillery Firing;

1 p.m. Union Infantry Drill;

2 p.m. Grand Finale Musket and Artillery Firing.

In addition, there will be an 1860’s women’s fashion promenade at 2 p.m. Saturday and 12 p.m. Sunday.

National Park Service rangers will be on the grounds each day providing discussions about the 1861 Civil War Battle of Fort Hatteras and Fort Clark.