Kinston in Lenoir County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
The Center of the Confederate Line
Harriet's Chapel Battlefield Park
— Battle of Kinston Military Park —
The Confederate earthworks stretched from the Neuse River on the east to a deep swamp on the west. This line crossed the Wilmington road (now US 258) which in 1862 made a sharp turn to the west (your right) just south of Harriet’s Chapel. The Confederates used a fence row on the north side of the road and the deep swamp to the west to their advantage. From the near ninety-degree bend in the road the line stretched east in front of Harriet’s Chapel, bending north to the Neuse River. The church sat at the center of the line.
Gen. Nathan Evans placed the 61st North Carolina Infantry under Col. James D. Radcliffe here—in the center of the line. Starr’s Battery—Battery B, 13th North Carolina Artillery—-commanded by Capt. Joseph B. Starr, was also on the line near Harriet’s Chapel. Three South Carolina regiments held the eastern end of the Confederate line.
(captions)
(lower left) Col. James D. Radcliffe
(lower right) Col. Fitz W. McMasters commanded the 17th South Carolina at the eastern end of the Confederate line.
Erected by Battle of Kinston Military Park.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1862.
Location. 35° 14.467′ N, 77° 35.267′ W. Marker is in Kinston, North Carolina, in Lenoir County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Richlands Road (U.S. 258) and Measley Road, on the right when traveling north. The marker is located 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. Wessells' Advance—December 14, 1862 (here, next to this marker); The Action in the Swamp (here, next to this marker); The Union Artillery (within shouting distance of this marker); The Confederate Defenses of Kinston (within shouting distance of this marker); Caring for the Wounded (within shouting distance of this marker); Starr's Battery (within shouting distance of this marker); The Site of Harriet's Chapel (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Night of December 13, 1862 (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kinston.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on November 26, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 656 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 26, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.