Compatriot Michael Dowling

We are saddened to report the death of our friend and compatriot Michael Dowling. He passed on to the other side this morning (Sunday, June 27, 2010). He was a United States Marine Corps Veteran (Vietnam), and past Adjutant of the Col. John B. Palmer Camp 1946, Sons of Confederate Veterans. We will miss Mike greatly. It just seems like yesterday that he was joining us to place the stone for Sergeant Rumples in Buncombe County. Details of his forthcoming memorial service will be announced once they become available.

You can help save land at Bentonville

As many of you know, there are several key events during the war which are connected with North Carolina, i.e., the 26th North Carolina Troops at the battle of Gettysburg. Another of those key events is the last large battle of the war: Bentonville. Yesterday, an email from the Civil War Preservation Trust went out, announcing a new effort to save land at Bentonville. The email, and subsequent press release, read in part:

Today, we are announcing a new campaign to save 240 acres of this remarkable Civil War battlefield – the opening effort of a larger campaign to save 455 battlefield acres in North Carolina. These 240 acres, in four different parcels, will bring the total saved by CWPT at Bentonville to 1,142 acres! Even better, CWPT has secured a tremendous matching that will double the giving power of every dollar you donate to this campaign.

You can learn more (and donate) by checking out this web page here.

The Civil War Preservation Trust has even put up a gallery of flags used by the soldiers (Gray and Blue) at the battle of Bentonville. You can check that out here. Part of the page includes the image of the flag of the 40th North Carolina Troops.

There were quite a few soldiers from the Toe River Valley (mostly in the 58th North Carolina Troops ) at Bentonville.