New Bern in Craven County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
John Wright Stanly House
A House Divided
Photographed by Kevin W., October 21, 2009
1. John Wright Stanly House Marker
This house was the birthplace of two men who fought on opposing sides during the Civil War: Edward Stanly, the Unionist military governor of North Carolina, and Confederate Gen. Lewis Addison Armistead, who was mortally wounded during the Battle of Gettysburg. Stanly, born here in 1810, accepted the post of military governor from President Abraham Lincoln in May 1862, in the hope that he might lead his hometown and state back into the Union. He was unsuccessful and resigned in March 1863. Armistead, Stanleys nephew, was born here in 1817. He fell at Gettysburg on July 3, 1863, during Gen. James Longstreets attack on the Federal position atop Cemetery Ridge (Picketts Charge) and died two days later.
After Union forces defeated Confederate troops in the Battle of New Bern on March 14, 1862, this house was selected as the headquarters of Union commander Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside. Later in the war, the house served as headquarters for Stanly General Hospital (later called Foster General Hospital) and as a convent for the Sisters of Mercy, Roman Catholic nuns who worked as nurses in the hospital.
John Wright Stanly built his house between 1779 and 1783. During the Civil War, it stood on it original site at the southwest corner of New and Middle Streets (current site of a 1930s Federal building and parking lot).
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Erected 2004 by North Carolina Civil War Trails.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the North Carolina Civil War Trails series list. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1863.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 35° 6.436′ N, 77° 2.667′ W. Marker was in New Bern, North Carolina, in Craven County. It was on George St just north of Pollock Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 307 George St, New Bern NC 28562, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker was in North Carolina’s Coastal Plain. It was also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and in the Tidewater. Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: A different marker also named John Wright Stanly House (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named John Wright Stanly House (a few steps from this marker); Washington's Southern Tour (within shouting distance of this marker); Lurking as Spies (within shouting distance of this marker); Tryon Palace (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); James Walker Hood (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named Attmore-Oliver House
Photographed by Kevin W., October 21, 2009
2. John Wright Stanly House Marker
Other markers no longer nearby. Jones House (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Attmore-Oliver House (was about 600 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Photographed by Kevin W., October 21, 2009
3. Close up of image on John Wright Stanly House Marker
The photo on the left is captioned, "U.S. Military Governor Edward Stanly"(photo provided for use on the marker courtesy of Henry Deeks Collection)
The photo on the right is captioned, "Confederate General Lewis Addison Armistead"
The photo on the right is captioned, "Confederate General Lewis Addison Armistead"
Photographed by Kevin W., October 21, 2009
4. Close up of image on John Wright Stanly House Marker
The Stanly House at its original site at the southwest corner of New and Middle Streets, ca. 1863. (photo provided for use on the marker by the U.S. Army Military History Institute).
Photographed by Don Morfe, August 14, 2014
5. John Wright Stanly House
Credits. This page was last revised on February 23, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 19, 2014, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,144 times since then and 79 times this year. Last updated on February 22, 2026, by Mark P. Brock-Cancellieri of Baltimore, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 19, 2014, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 5. submitted on September 8, 2014, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
