Marker Logo HMdb.org THE HISTORICAL
MARKER DATABASE
“Bite-Size Bits of Local, National, and Global History”
“Bite-Size Bits of Local, National, and Global History”
Kinston in Lenoir County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
 

The Action in the Swamp

Harriet's Chapel Battlefield Park

— Battle of Kinston Military Park —

 
 
The Action in the Swamp Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Don Morfe, September 26, 2013
1. The Action in the Swamp Marker
Inscription. A large swamp separated the advancing Union army and the Confederate defenders one-half mile north. Described by one Union soldier as, “difficult to cross, and densely covered with a growth of small trees and pine,” the swamp slowed the Union advance and provided cover for the Confederates.

Gen. Henry Wessell’s infantry waded into the swamp, determined to reach the Confederate line. It was an action the Confederate engineers who designed the defenses did not anticipate.

A solder in the 45th Massachusetts wrote: “We quickly found ourselves in the midst of a regular North Carolina swamp, which in ordinary times would be considered impenetrable. Mud and water waist deep, how much deep none stopped to see, roots to trip the careless foot, briars innumerable to make havoc with our clothes…” In spite of the harsh conditions, Wessells extended and strengthened his line while taking heavy fire from the Confederates.

The swamp that tried the Union troops protected the Confederates. Thick trees and underbrush masked the Confederate positions, making it difficult for the Federals to fire accurately. Capt. William H. Edwards, 17th South Carolina, observed: “The Yankee advance was greatly obstructed by the swamp, and their fire upon our lines was very heavy and continuous,
Paid Advertisement
Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.
Click or scan to see
this page online
but fortunately for us they could not see our position and they were firing above us all the time.”


(captions)
(left) “Mud and water waist deep, how much deeper none stopped to see…”
(center) Col. Charles R. Codman, right, commanded the 45th Massachusetts at Kinston.
 
Erected by Battle of Kinston Military Park.
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil.
 
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 Center of the Confederate Line (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
The Action in the Swamp Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Don Morfe, September 26, 2013
2. The Action in the Swamp Marker
(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 726 times since then and 12 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.

Share this page.  
Share on Tumblr
m=70438

CeraNet Cloud Computing sponsors the Historical Marker Database.
This website earns income from purchases you make after using our links to Amazon.com. We appreciate your support.
Paid Advertisements
Mar. 19, 2024