A Few Raleigh, NC First Bull Run Items

Earlier this month I was in Raleigh, NC to speak to the Raleigh Civil War Round Table about the 69th NYSM at First Bull Run (see recap here). While in town for just over 24 hours, I had some time to take in local sites, including some related to what is indisputably the most important engagement of the American Civil War.

First up, at the North Carolina Museum of History, they have a fine collection of Civil War artifacts, including a few associated with the 6th North Carolina Infantry’s Colonel Charles F. Fisher, who was killed on Henry House Hill at the head of his regiment. In addition to these, the Museum also has Fisher’s coat and hat. I think the items would make a great temporary display in the visitor’s center of Manassas National Battlefield Park, say, to coincide with an “In the Footsteps of the 6th North Carolina Infantry” Bull Runnings tour. What do you think?

Fisher display (photo by Charles Knight, Curator of Military History)

Col. Fisher’s sword and scabbard carried at the battle (photo by Charles Knight, Curator of Military History)

Col. Fisher’s saddle blanket (shabrack) used at the battle

Col. Fisher’s gloves worn at the battle

Later, Raleigh Civil War Round Table president and North Carolina Musuem of History Military History Curator Charlie Knight and I ventured to nearby Hillsborough (Hillsboro) for lunch and a quick visit to Ayr Mount, birthplace of William Whedbee Kirkland, colonel of the 11th North Carolina Volunteers at the battle (I wrote about him here).

Kirkland cemetery