The March 14, 1862 battle saw 11,000 Union forces defeat 4,500 ill-equipped Confederate troops and marked the beginning of the Union occupation.
“A lot of people don't realize that New Bern was an occupied town for most of the war,” said Jeff Bockert, the assistant curator of education for North Carolina historic sites. “The Union Army was here for three years."
Complete with costumes, encampments and canons, this event was a real life history lesson for spectators as re-enactors showed them what life was really like during the Civil War.
“The bayonets from 150 years ago were pretty lethal,” said David Lloyd, a battlefield visitor.
Re-enactors say it took six hours to set up one encampment. But Randy Sauls said it takes more than good costumes and a backdrop to pull this off.
"A good group of guys, and good equipment,” Sauls said. “Everything in good working order and a good public that wants to come out and learn something."
The re-enactors worked hard here to make sure everything was realistic. From the clothes, to the weaponry, to the food. They even slept in their encampments overnight.
“All the of the equipment that the men have has been made for them by experts so that everything they have is an exact reproduction of what would've been worn during the American Civil War,” Bockert said.
The commemoration continues through Sunday afternoon. Be sure to check out the commemorative service at 8:30 in the morning at the battlefield. Many of the events are free and open to the public.
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