FOUR OAKS, N.C— Leave the hustle and bustle of modern holidays behind and travel back to the past at Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site’s “Civil War Christmas” event. Drop by Saturday, Dec. 5, and help decorate an 1860s style Christmas tree, spend time with Confederate soldiers around the campfire, sip cider with civilian living historians and tour the circa 1855 Harper House. The free holiday program will take place from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Members of Co. D 27th NC Troops will demonstrate how the common Civil War-era North Carolina soldier and civilian marked the holidays by presenting mail call and discussions about uniforms and how soldiers spent Christmas furlough at home. Visitors can wander through a small military camp and vote on their favorite decorated tent.

Guests will also enjoy seeing the festively decorated Harper House kitchen, where volunteers will serve hot cider and cookies. To get into the spirit of the season, you can help the costumed interpreters string popcorn and cranberries, cut out paper ornaments and even decorate the Christmas tree.

Children’s games and activities will take place throughout the day. The Harper House, which was turned into a hospital during the Battle of Bentonville, will be set up as Union field hospital and open for hourly tours.  

The Battle of Bentonville, fought March 19-21, 1865, involved 80,000 troops and was the last Confederate offensive against Union Gen. William T. Sherman. Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site interprets the battle and the hospital, where many Confederates were left in the aftermath.

The site is located at 5466 Harper House Road, Four Oaks, NC 27524, 3 miles north of Newton Grove on S.R. 1008, about one hour from Raleigh and about 45 minutes from Fayetteville. 

For more information, visit www.nchistoricsites.org/bentonvi/bentonvi.htm or call (910) 594-0789. 

Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site is part of the Division of State Historic Sites in the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.