Confederate Hospitals in Coastal North Carolina

Confederate Hospitals Lunch and Learn
Field hospital 1862 Savage Station Virginia, (Library of Congress; Photo by James Gibson) and Wade Sokolosky

Historical Society Lunch & Learn with Wade Sokolosky on March 11

New Bern, NC – Author and historian Wade Sokolosky returns to the New Bern Historical Society’s Lunch & Learn at the Chelsea restaurant on Wednesday, March 11 at 11:30 a.m. to discuss the extensive efforts to take care of wounded during the Civil War. At the start of the Civil War there existed a misconception that the conflict would be short and not the bloody and drawn-out struggle that ultimately transpired. The horrific losses during this early period highlighted just how ill-prepared both sides were when it came to treating sick and wounded soldiers. Desperate to ensure its native sons received proper care, North Carolina’s fledging medical department took on a greater role here in the state, as well as near the heavy fighting in Virginia.

Colonel Wade Sokolosky (Ret.), a native of Beaufort, North Carolina, is a graduate of East Carolina University and a 25-year veteran of the U.S. Army. He is one of North Carolina’s leading experts of the 1865 Carolinas Campaign. Wade has lectured throughout the Carolinas, speaking to roundtables, various societies and organizations, and at historical sites.

He is the co-author (with Mark A. Smith) of “To Prepare for Sherman’s Coming”: The Battle of Wise’s Forks, March 1865, chosen as the winner of the Civil War Books and Authors Best Book of the Year for 2015, Battle/Campaign Histories – Eastern Theater category, and “No Such Army Since the Days of Julius Caesar”: Sherman’s Carolinas Campaign from Fayetteville to Averasboro. Wade is also author of “Final Roll Call” Confederate Losses during the Carolinas Campaign. Wade is finalizing a manuscript titled, North Carolina’s Civil War Hospitals, vol. I, Confederate, due out in late 2020.  Wade lives in Beaufort, North Carolina and works for the N.C. Dept. of Transportation Ferry System.

Lunch & Learn starts at 11:30 am at The Chelsea Restaurant, 335 Middle Street, New Bern. The cost is $17 for Historical Society members and $22 for non-members; lunch is included. Advance reservations must be made by calling the New Bern Historical Society at 252-638-8558, or can be ordered at www.NewBernHistorical.org/tickets. Entree choices Pork Tenderloin with Cabernet Demi Glaze, Rice Pilaf, Seasoned Asparagus or Salmon Brie Pasta. Both served with Lemon Cake, tea and coffee.

The mission of the New Bern Historical Society is to celebrate and promote New Bern and its heritage through events and education. Offices are located in the historic Attmore-Oliver House at 511 Broad Street in New Bern. For more information, call 252-638-8558 or go NewBernHistorical.org or Facebook.com/NewBernHistoricalSociety.

Submitted by: Kathy Morrison on Behalf of Mickey Miller, New Bern Historical Society