“New Bern And The Civil War”

New Bern and The Civil War - Jame E WhiteNew Book Presentation & Signing by Author James Edward White, III

On Tuesday, June 12, 2018 at 6:30 p.m., the Craven County Genealogical Society will begin the evening with a cookie and punch reception where guests and members are welcome to discuss their research and learn more ways to find their ancestors.

At 7 p.m., the Society will host a free program featuring Craven County native, Mr. James E. White, III, who will share his new book presentation “New Bern And The Civil War” with society members and visitors.

“On March 14, 1862, Federal forces under the command of General Ambrose Burnside overwhelmed Confederate forces in the Battle of New Bern, capturing the town and its important seaport. From that time on, Confederates planned to retake the city. D.H. Hill and James J. Pettigrew made the first attempt but failed miserably. General George Pickett tried in February 1864. He nearly succeeded but called the attack off on the edge of victory. The Confederates made another charge in May led by General Robert Hoke. They had the city surrounded with superior forces when Lee called Hoke back to Richmond and ended the expedition. Author Jim White details the chaotic history of New Bern in the Civil War.”

Jim White is a noted author, having published a number of books on Portsmouth Island and New Bern, North Carolina. Among his works are Paradise Lost: An Oral History of Portsmouth Island, Portsmouth Island: Walk in the Past and Portsmouth Divided: The Civil War on Portsmouth Island. Other books include Fifty Years of Light: A History of Grantham Masonic Lodge and Years of Light: Volume 3, a History of St. John’s #3 Masonic Lodge. He is the winner of the Willie Parker Peace History Book Award and the Claude Hunter Moore Journal Award presented by the North Carolina Society of Historians. Jim is a retired educator, principal and college professor and lives in New Bern, North Carolina, with his wife, Nancy. They have three sons and five grandchildren.” (Arcadia Publishing And The History Press). He may be contacted via email or Facebook.

Following Jim’s presentation, we will have our popular Genealogy Q&A, so please bring your questions and hopefully someone in the group may be able to assist you.

The Society’s monthly meetings are held at the New Bern LDS Church located at 1207 Forest Drive off Trent Road.  The monthly meetings are free and open to the public and membership is encouraged.  The Society has a vibrant and diverse membership representing not only Craven County and North Carolina, but also many other states as well.  The members are dedicated to fostering interest in the research, preservation, and sharing of family heritages. We welcome you to join us for this month’s meeting.  For more information, please visit CravenGenealogy.org or contact President Nancy Perdue at 252-638-3291.

You are invited to visit the New Bern LDS History Center which is free and open to the public on Tuesdays (1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.), Wednesdays (6 p.m. to 9 p.m.), and Thursdays (1 p.m. to 4 p.m.).  It is staffed by researchers who are happy to assist you in learning how to find your ancestors.  The Center provides free on-site access to some of the most popular online genealogy research databases as well as having books relating to local area family history.  More info is available at CravenGenealogy.org.

Submitted by: David French, The Family History Society of Eastern North Carolina