Civil War Reen­actment Attendees Weigh In on Con­fed­erate Flag Debate

NEW HILL, N.C. -- It was a 45-minute heart-pounding adventure through history Saturday morning in New Hill as ticketholders had the chance to step back in time 150 years and experience the Battle of Morrisville firsthand, by train.

"This is the first time we've ever tried Civil War. And from what I've been told, this is the only time any reenactors remembers using a train,” said NHVR Chief Dispatcher Bob Crowley.

Those in attendance watched as Confederate soldiers transporting supplies and wounded soldiers by steam train were attacked by the Union army. The battle led to the eventual surrender by Confederate soldiers, ending the war in North Carolina.

"In school you're looking at a dry history book, black and white pictures. This way all your senses are involved in it. You can see it, you can hear it, you can smell it, you can actually put your hands on it,” said reenactor Curt Cole.

Some families say they've talked to their children about the recent tragedy in Charleston and the fact that the Confederate flag still flies atop of the South Carolina statehouse in Columbia. Despite that fact opinions remain mixed.

"It does have a place in our history and it needs to stay flying,” said Chad McHenry of Wilton.

"To have it flying in a prominent position under a state umbrella in any state's official standard is an insult to people nowadays,” said Jose Amundarian of Morrisville.

And those playing the role of Civil War soldiers say they wish Americans had a greater understanding on both sides of the Confederate flag debate.

"If it came down from the courthouse, I have no problem with that. But as far as other places go, freedom of speech should be able to do as they wish. My biggest fear is that it never stops once it gets started. They keep going 'til they try and erase everything. You should never erase your history. You should try and keep your history alive, I mean that's what we're doing here,” said Cole.

Four additional Civil War reenactment events are planned for Sunday in New Hill beginning at 10 a.m.

Tickets are $25 per person.