After victories at Fort Fisher and Bentonville, Union Gen. William T. Sherman occupied Raleigh with 75,000 troops camped at the State Capitol. The State Capitol will commemorate that tenuous Civil War period of 150 years ago with a free encampment program and tours featuring character actors at 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and hourly 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling (919) 733-4994.
North Carolina Governors David Swain and William Graham, and vehement Confederate supporter "Aunt" Abby House will be portrayed. Union Signal Corps Officer Lt. George Round and the formerly enslaved Ellick Moore also are present. The fear, anger, hope and relief many North Carolinians felt will be reflected in this program. Personal letters, diaries and period accounts are the basis of the dialog.
Re-enactors of the 6th NC Regiment will portray Union and Confederate troops encamped on the grounds. They will give a sense of military life before the Surrender Negotiations at Bennett Place in Durham and the end of the Civil War.
The State Capitol's mission is to preserve and interpret the history, architecture and functions of the 1840 building and Union Square. It is within the Division of State Historic Sites in the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources. The State Capitol is at One Edenton Street, Raleigh, NC, 27601. Visit www.nchistoricsites.org/capitol or call (919) 733-4994 for more information.