War on the Chowan River

Edenton, NC – The War on the Chowan River is becoming a part of the North Carolina Civil War Trails Campaign. The kick-off for the statewide program will take place on Monday, March 14th in Bentonville. Phase One, the Carolinas Campaign, will focus on Sherman’s Carolinas Campaign and those sites east of Salisbury. Edenton and Chowan County are pleased to be joining the Trail with two sites.

War on the Chowan River

The War on the Chowan River sign is located at Cannons Ferry at the J. Robert Hendrix Heritage Park and Cannons Ferry Riverwalk area. It gives an overview of the U.S. Navy vessels that patrolled the Chowan River from its mouth in North Carolina to Franklin, Virginia. This part of the river became the boundary between Federal-occupied counties to the east and Confederate-held counties to the west. It also highlights the Union gunboats Shawsheen, Lockwood, and Underwriter and how they successfully defended the river side of the fort at different times.

The Battle of Albemarle Sound sign is located on the Edenton Harbor Waterfront. The sign shares with Civil War enthusiasts a description of the three hour battle involving the ram Albemarle, some of the Albemarle Sailors that were in the Union Navy, and the many men from Edenton and Chowan County that answered the call to duty in serving the Confederacy. Of particular note was Captain Badham’s Edenton Bell Battery, Company B, Third Battalion, N.C. Light Artillery.

Partners for this statewide project include the NC Department of Transportation, NC Department of Cultural Resources along with the NC Division of Tourism, Film and Sports Development.

While learning more about the Civil War and what it meant to North Carolina, stop in to the South’s Prettiest Small Town to see the role that took place here and then continue on to our neighbors within the rest of Northeastern North Carolina to see how vital a role we all played in the overall war.

For more information contact Nancy Nicholls at (800) 775-0111.