“North Carolina Perspectives Guide the War Between the States Commemoration”
“The Sesquicentennial’s Midpoint” – a July 2013 Interview with Bernhard Thuersam, NC WBTS Sesquicentennial Commission Chairman.
The
observance of North Carolina’s War Between the States Sesquicentennial
is now in its third year, paralleling 1863 and chronicling its effect
upon North Carolina and its people. Just past is the observance of North
Carolina’s participation at the three-day battle at Gettysburg,
Pennsylvania, which saw many Tarheels journey northward to follow the
footsteps of their ancestors, many of whom did not return from that
battlefield.
The
Commission Mr. Thuersam leads is a 12-member group of private
individuals from across the State, from Cape Carteret and Wilmington to
Tabor City and Southern Pines, to Granite Falls and Asheville – and
includes Commander Thomas Smith, Jr., North Carolina Division, Sons of
Confederate Veterans. Equally impressive is the Commission’s Academic
Board with Dr. Clyde Wilson, native Tarheel and retired Professor of
History at the University of South Carolina on board, and Dr. Boyd
Cathey, retired Registrar at North Carolina Department of Archives &
History.
What The Sesquicentennial Commission is Commemorating
“Our
opening webpage header, “Unsurpassed Valor, Courage and Devotion to
Liberty” makes it clear what we are commemorating, and the content
affirms why we are observing this important time of North Carolina’s
history,” states North Carolina War Between the States Sesquicentennial
Commission Chairman Bernhard Thuersam of Wilmington. He adds: “we also
entitle the website “A State Forced Out of the Union” to make it clear
why North Carolinians helped form a more perfect union with other
Southern States – Unionists were more numerous than secessionists in
early 1861 but the uncompromising nature of Northern Republicans would
force them to find a more perfect union elsewhere.”
A Work in Progress
The
Commission chairman said the website continues to be “a work in
progress” as three new webpages have been recently published: “North
Carolina’s View of Secession” drawn primarily from Dr. J. Carlyle
Sitterson’s seminal study “The Secession Movement in North Carolina and
published in 1939; “Women and Children Face the Invader” which reveals
the reality of war at home and how it was faced by noncombatants; and
“The Tariff Origins of the War,” a concise and informative look at the
economic factors that really caused the war.
Thuersam
said the Sesquicentennial itself, and greatly-increased public interest
has spawned “War Between the States Era” walking and driving tours of
North Carolina towns and cities, one operating in Wilmington since 2011
and similar ventures started or planned in Raleigh, Charlotte,
Burlington, Fayetteville, Kinston and Plymouth. He adds that “our www.ncwbts150.com
website hits are nothing short of phenomenal and so many people want to
know more about that period, and the North Carolinians who lived,
fought and died then.”
Impact to Date of the Sesquicentennial Commission and its Website
Asked
what impact he feels the Sesquicentennial Commission, its website and
efforts have had since 2011, Thuersam responded: “I see in the print and
online media more discussion of that period today and a far better
appreciation and recognition of the North Carolinians of that time --
plus the individual heroism they displayed both at the front and at
home. The human story of sacrifice, valor, courage and suffering of
that time has finally come to the forefront.”
Thuersam
added, “I am happy to see many moving away from referring to North
Carolina’s soldiers of that time as simply “Confederates,” and more
properly seeing them as husbands, fathers, sons and brothers, all who
fought and gave their lives to defend Hatteras, New Bern, Kinston,
Plymouth, Fort Fisher, Wilmington, Fayetteville, Bentonville, and many
far away battlefields. To me this means the Commission has been
fulfilling its mission of public awareness and education very well, and
it is a satisfying feeling”
The
website provided high visibility for the many memorial observances
across the State this year and Thuersam remarked that “I had the very
high privilege of speaking at the Robert E. Lee Birthday at the State
Capitol, as well as the Columbus County Memorial Day service, both great
honors. There is no better way to honor your ancestors, and to keep the
flame of their patriotic passion burning in your heart today.”
What is Coming Up This Year and Next?
Thuersam
provides an idea of what is going on with the Commission today and what
is being planned: “Well, we receive much good feedback regarding our
“Patriots of ‘61” page which briefly tells the story of the many men and
women from around the State who served North Carolina during that war,
and this will certainly be added to with our research. We will also
continue to add pages we think give the reader a well-rounded view of
the war, and why it happened.”
Any Controversial Topics on the Website?
“A
surprising topic we handled well, I think, was that of treason against
North Carolina. We were encouraged to explore this long-neglected
subject by many on the Commission and people across the State. The
webpage begins with a clear analysis of what constitutes treason,
especially by the standards and laws of that period, and how it
adversely affected North Carolina and its war efforts. I think our
tackling this topic shows our commitment to history, warts and all, and
not leaving ignored stones unturned.”
A Living History Program in the Works:
“We
are in the planning stages of a very interesting living history program
which has three talented impressionists in the characters and uniforms
of Generals Robert F. Hoke and William H.C. Whiting, and Colonel William
Lamb. Our tentative program has them all on stage discussing the
period from late-1864 through the fall of Fort Fisher and retreat from
Wilmington -- allowing the audience to feel as if they are witnessing
those officers and their viewpoints firsthand. What a great way to
present our history!”
He
adds: “This will be followed up with a similar program featuring
Generals Joseph E. Johnston, Hoke, and William Hardee at the time of
Bentonville. Once again, the audience will not only learn history, but
experience it as well.”
What Happens When the Sesquicentennial is Past?
“The
search for history and its remembrance is an endless task, and the
Commission feels that we are engaged in the important task of compiling
important information for not only us today, but for future generations
as well. We are already discussing the publication of the website
content into a book available both in digital and book forms, this is
most important for our young people to use for learning and research.
The Commission’s task is educational, and we are doing this to the best
of our abilities, and for the sake of future generations.”
. The chief’s bodyguard was also killed and a second bodyguard and the chief’s wife were wounded.