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Kinston in Lenoir County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
 

The Night of December 13, 1862

Harriet's Chapel Battlefield Park

— Battle of Kinston Military Park —

 
 
The Night of December 13, 1862 Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Don Morfe, September 26, 2013
1. The Night of December 13, 1862 Marker
Inscription. After the fighting near Southwest Creek, the Confederates withdrew toward Kinston. Marching north, they crossed a creek and waded through the frigid swamp. Many cold, wet soldiers spent a miserable night at Harriet’s Chapel.

The Confederate officers forbade the men to build fires. This prohibition only made the cold night even worse. Capt. William Edwards of 17th South Carolina went to his colonel and asked if his men could build fires. Col. Fitz William McMaster explained that fires would attract Union artillery. Edwards replied, “A death by a shell would be much easier than to slowly freeze to death.” The colonel relented, allowing his men to build “small fires.” The next morning the 17th South Carolina manned the line near the church.

The records indicate that the 61st North Carolina, 17th South Carolina and Holcombe’s Legion, another South Carolina unit, camped at or near Harriet’s Chapel on the cold night of December 13, 1862. The next day, some Confederate soldiers sought the protection offered by the church building. One Union account recalled, “In front of part of their lines stood a wooden church, and from its widows came many a shot…”

"Imagine our feeling lying upon the cold ground on a bitter cold December night knowing it would
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be a battleground on the morrow…”
David Jackson Logan, 17 South Carolina
 
Erected by Battle of Kinston Military Park.
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is December 13, 1862.
 
Location. 35° 14.519′ N, 77° 35.282′ W. Marker is in Kinston, North Carolina, in Lenoir County. Marker is at the intersection of Richlands Road (U.S. 258) and Measley Road, on the right when traveling north on Richlands Road. The marker is on the grounds of the Kinston Battlefield Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Kinston NC 28504, United States of America. Touch for directions.
 
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Fighting at Harriet's Chapel (a few steps from this marker); The Site of Harriet's Chapel (a few steps from this marker); Caring for the Wounded (a few steps from this marker); Kinston Battlefield Park (within shouting distance of this marker); The Confederate Defenses of Kinston (within shouting distance of this marker); First Battle of Kinston (within shouting distance of this marker); Wessells' Advance—December 14, 1862 (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Center of the Confederate Line (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kinston.
 
The Night of December 13, 1862 Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Don Morfe, September 26, 2013
2. The Night of December 13, 1862 Marker
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on November 25, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 740 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos:   1, 2. submitted on November 25, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.

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Mar. 18, 2024