Here’s to the land of the Long Leaf Pine
The Summer land where the Sun doth shine
Where the weak grow strong and the strong grow great
Here’s to North Carolina, the good Old Tar Heel State
Families gathered this past week to visit some of the most notable historic sites in North Carolina. Old friends came together and new friendships were forged, as Bill Potter and Dan Horn delivered addresses illuminating God’s providential hand in the history of the Tar Heel State from its earliest exploration, to its role in the War for Independence and Civil War, and the key figures who shaped the state during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Enjoy some of the tour’s highlights below.
A Historical Interpreter Demonstrates Typical Duties of an 18th-Century Kitchen in Old Salem, North Carolina
A Peek Inside the Old Salem Gunsmith Shop—The Oldest Operational Gunsmith Shop in the Country
Homestead of James and Nancy Bennett—Site of Joseph E. Johnston’s Surrender of His Armies to Union Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman
Historian Bill Potter at Bennett Place—Location of the Largest Surrender of Confederate Forces to the Union
Dan Horn Brings a Biblical Perspective to the Challenging Subject of Slavery at Historic Stagville Plantation
Historian Bill Potter, at the Homestead of Washington Duke, Describes the Inestimable Role that Tobacco Played in Our Country’s Founding
Tour Attendees at the Foot of an Imposing Memorial to Major General Nathanael Greene—Washington’s Most Dependable Officer
Among the most poignant highlights of the trip was the reading of the letter below written to a faithful and beloved Georgia commander from his grateful regiment which was part of the Confederate forces surrendered to Sherman at Bennett Place.
Camp 42nd GA. Regt.
Near High Point, N.C.
April 28th, 1865
Col:
In view of our early separation we adopt this method of giving you assurance of our high appreciation of your inestimable services as a Commander, and of tendering to you our heart-felt thanks for that kindness and courtesy, which has always characterized your conduct; and in so doing, we feel, that we but speak the sentiments of every Non-Commissioned Officer and Private in the command.
In the bivouac, impartial justice as well as inflexibility of purpose has marked your administration “suaviter in modo, sed fortiter in re”1. And on the field, gallantly unsurpassed and heroism never faltering have invariably signalized your deportment.
Kind and courteous, but still impartial, we have always approached you satisfied that our grievances would be repaired and our wrongs redressed. As a leader your services demand at the hands of this government more substantial appreciation of your capacity as an Officer and your gallantry as a soldier.
We are Col., Respectfully
Your Obd’t Servts
1 “Gentle in manner, but strong in deed”.
