Description:

Ft. Branch, a Civil War dirt mound Confederate fort, sits high on the banks of the Roanoke River in eastern North Carolina near the small town of Hamilton. From the fort the Confederates could see up and down the river and know if the Yankees were coming.

Every year on the first weekend in November reenactors come from everywhere to recreate this battle. They pitch tents, no electric or battery equipment is used-these people are serious.

Campfires blaze, women make quilts and candles and the men get ready for the battle that is to come on Saturday and Sunday at 1:30. Some of the soldiers are on horses, many on foot, yelling and charging. It feels real and makes the southerners cry.

The Huckleberry Brothers Band comes every year to play period music with instruments that would have been used in the 1860’s. You can hear them playing in the campsites and on Saturday night at the dance. Everyone is in costume always. There are vendors who sell Confederate uniforms, dresses and hoop skirts, beeswax candles and many period weapons and ammunition.

Visitors can just wander through the camps and visit with Yankees and Confederates. They know the history so be sure to talk to them.