A week ago, I was just getting home from the Fort Fisher
event. I had meant to post some thoughts earlier, but book proofs and other
things got in the way. So, here are my thoughts:
Overall, it was a fantastic event, and, I believe, a model
for others to emulate. The mix of speakers and historians, the living
historians and re-enactors, and various other groups, all came together to
produce a great event.
We arrived on Saturday morning and got checked in, and began
to scope out the area. Having been to the Ft. Fisher State Historic site on
several occasions, I was familiar with the area. Talks started at 10:00 am, and
I had a chance to sit in on the portions of the lectures delivered by several,
including Rod Gragg and Chris Fonvielle. Pat McCory, Governor of North
Carolina, spoke at the monument at Battlefield Acre shortly after 11:00 am on
Saturday, followed by Ed Bearss. The battle portion of the reenactment started
at 1:00 pm on Saturday with a shot from the Fort's 32-pounder. Saturday evening
concluded with a lantern tour. Estimated visitor count on Saturday was placed
at 12,500 folks.
Late Saturday night and into early Sunday morning, the rains
blew through the area. Despite the sogginess, there were still throngs of
visitors at the site. The reenactment scheduled to begin at 10:00 am was pushed
back to 12:00. I spoke again at 1:30, and about 3:30, we started back toward
the mountains.
As I mentioned before, it was good to see the reenactors and
sutlers, the living history displays, listen to the lectures, and visit with
the Friends of Ft. Fisher and the various Sons of Confederate Veterans camps
set up. Kudos to the George Davis Camp, SCV. They had brought their notes and
records, along with their North Carolina Troop books, and were helping people
look up their Confederate ancestors. There was also a reunion during the
weekend for people whose ancestors had originally served on the Confederate or
Union side during the war at Ft. Fisher.
Overall, it was a fantastic event.
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