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Source:  Battle of Whitehall, Seven Springs. Photo courtesy of Rusty Long

  • Monument Name

    Battle of Whitehall, Seven Springs

  • Type

    Marker

  • Subjects

    Civil War, 1861-1865

  • City

    Seven Springs

  • County

    Wayne

  • Description

    The marker is a simple flat topped slab of granite with smooth faces and rusticated sides marking the site of the Civil War battle of Whitehall. It stands on a single base and has inscriptions incised on the front and rear faces. Aside from the incisions the marker is unadorned. It is centered among three flagpoles in an area landscaped with bushes and plantings.

    Images: Rear view | Far-off view

  • Inscription

    Front: “THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES” / “THE BATTLE OF WHITEHALL” / DECEMBER 15-16, 1862 / ON THIS SITE, CONFEDERATE AND UNION TROOPS / ENGAGED IN BATTLE. CONFEDERATES TOOK / POSITION N. SIDE OF RIVER, AFTER BURNING / BRIDGE. UNION TROOPS OCCUPIED S. SIDE AND / HILL ABOVE, DESTROYING MUCH OF VILLAGE. / CSS NEUSE DAMAGED DURING SHELLING. / AFTER SUFFERING A NUMBER OF CASUALTIES, / UNION TROOPS WITHDREW MARCHING TOWARDS / GOLDSBORO. CONFEDERATE LOSSES WERE FEW.

    Rear: “DEDICATED TO THOSE WHO BRAVELY / FOUGHT FOR WHATEVER REASON THEY / FELT IN THEIR OWN HEARTS WAS / WORTHY OF THE SACRIFICE.” / 1994

  • Custodian

    Town of Seven Springs

  • Dedication Date

    1994

  • Decade

    1990s

  • Geographic Coordinates

    35.228440 , -77.846110 View in Geobrowsemap pin

  • Supporting Sources

      "The Battle of Whitehall. The War Between the States — December 15-16, 1862," The Historical Marker Database, HMdb.org, (accessed May 1, 2016) Link

      Williams, George L. “Whitehall, Battle Of,” NCpedia.org, (accessed April 24, 2016) Link

      “Battle OF White Hall Ferry,” Thomas' Legion : The 69th North Carolina Regiment, http://thomaslegion.net/, (accessed April 24, 2016) Link

      “Engagement At Whitehall,” http://www.civilwaralbum.com, (accessed April 24, 2016) Link

      “The Civil War Day By Day, December 16, 1862,” UNC University Library, (accessed April 25, 2016) Link

  • Public Site

    Yes

  • Materials & Techniques

    Granite

  • Subject Notes

    The battle of Whitehall (present day Seven Springs) occurred on Dec. 15-16, 1862 when Confederate forces under Brig. Gen. B. H. Robertson and Union forces under Maj. Gen. John G. Foster clashed during Foster's attempt to capture the railroad junction at Goldsboro. Late on Dec. 15, 1862, the Union cavalry reached Whitehall shortly after Confederate troops crossed over the Neuse River Bridge and then burned it before setting up defensive positions. Union artillery attempted to destroy the frame of the Confederate ironclad Neuse that was under construction at Whitehall while the cavalrymen exchanged fire with Robertson's pickets. After several hours of futile conflict the Union cavalry burned the village and returned to their camp. The battle continued the next day with a failed Union attempt to cross the river. Fighting lasted until sunset when the Union forces withdrew.

  • Location

    The marker is located in front of a white wooden building at the boat landing in Seven Springs. The landing is on the corner of E. River Street and Main Street at the Neuse River Bridge. Several blocks away is another marker commemorating those who died in the battle.

  • Landscape

    The memorial is surrounded by seasonal plants and bushes.

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