When Union Gen. John M. Schofield ordered Maj. Gen. Jacob D. Cox to move his XXIII Corps to Goldsboro in February 1865, he was blocked by Confederate Gen. Braxton Bragg just east of Kinston, North Carolina. Despite an initial Confederate success, Union reinforcements — arriving March 9 — were able to repulse Confederate troops forcing Bragg to withdraw. The four-day long struggle is the second-largest battle ever fought in North Carolina and engaged over 20,500 troops.
Now, hallowed ground at the Wyse Fork Battlefield — just outside the city of Kinston — is facing a threat that would perpetually destroy the site. The proposed highway interchange would sit at the heart of the battlefield, causing significant and irreparable damage to the historic site, hindering interpretation efforts, and impeding future preservation attempts.
A map of the proposed highway interchange at Wyse Fork Battlefield. Click to enlarge.
Join us in signing our letter of opposition against this horrendous threat to one of our nation’s most important Civil War conflicts.
Sincerely,
Jim Campi
Chief Policy and Communications Officer
American Battlefield Trust
P.S. Signing this letter to protect Wyse Fork Battlefield may seem like a small action on your part, but we know that it has an impact. Last month, after thousands of preservationists spoke out through the Trust and its partners, local officials near Gettysburg UNANIMOUSLY rejected a proposed zoning amendment with long-term consequences for the battlefield. Your voice matters!