Newspapers / The Warren Record (Warrenton, … / Oct. 13, 1977, edition 1 / Page 12
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Part Of Bennett's Civil War Artifacts Collection Jeff Davis Hat Pin Union Breastplate (Ornamental) Service Badge of 1864 Box Plate for Ammunition Box Union Belt Buckle Medal of Honor (Confederate) Cannon Hal Pin Metal Detectors Joining Hunt For Vanished Warren County Civil War Training Grounds Bv KEN FERRLCCIO Staff Writer Somewhere near Ridgeway, Camp Beauregard lies, Warren County's military Atlantis of The War Between The States Pierced and clutched by the roots of time and rusting into oblivion. Camp Beauregard, once a bustling training camp, sleeps, perhaps half sunken in the sod of some forsaken field or neglected pastureland. Nobody-know^just where. But AIB^nnett of Battle^AvenueT Warren ton, intends to find out. Using sophisticated equipment such as metal detectors, Bennett hopes to pinpoint the location of Camp Beauregard. Bennett, a state trooper and Civil War history buff, began digging up the past in 1974 and began taking accurate notes on his discoveries on February 3,1975. His maps, sourcebooks and personal notes, which name and date each artifact and give the precise location where it was found, allow Bennett to place many of the items in their historical contexts. Often, however, the origin of the artifact remains speculative. For example, Bennett believes that the handcrafted brass arrowhead found near Fort Anderson, across the river from New Bern, and what appears to be a king's crown whittled out of a bullet, were made during a soldier's idle hours at camp. Other artifacts suggest the evolution of military history. A naval fuse made of brass and dated 1861 was set for air bursts. At a predetermined distance it would explode to release grapeshot, "little balls of steel, from a few ounces up to half a pound that come out of large cannon balls." Bennett says the naval fuse operates similarly to that of naval depth charges of today. Among Bennett's bullet collection are the old Burnsides, "named after Admiral Burnside who took New Bern." Th*»«» u,<"»1 "♦ll" ni[cnsy<n»^r —rifles:' He~Hsohas Spencer bullets, as well as special cleaning bullets with a brass ring around new bases, fired to clean the barrel of rifles. And one bullet, which apparently missed its target, is still lodged in a section of the tree which received it. A six-pound cannon ball, solid shot, from Fort Anderson, and a nine-inch Bormann, "named after the inventor," and consisting of black powder and pieces of grapeshot. are among "several different pieces of exploded cannon." One of these pieces was found close to a place Bennett believes to have been Camp Beauregard, "named after the man who fired on Fort Sumter and started the whole mess." Among his symbols of hand-to-hand combat are a Union and Confederate bayonet. The Union bayonet was dug up at Fort Spinola, "right where the tide went out." The handmade Confederate bayonet was found on the battlefield in New Bern. One day while digging up the rubbish of the past, Bennett found in a trash pit near Fort Gaston, a pair of shoulder scales, which are part of a large collection of ..Union and Confederate buttons found by Bennett include Row 1, (top) left to right: Massachusetts state seal, Massachusetts Voluntary Militia, New York State seals (3, 4. 5, 6), Rhode Island state seal, Revolutionary button of 1760. Row 2: These are eagle buttons. Row 3: all eagles. Row 4: First 3 are eagles. Button 4 is confederate and has an I for infantry, 5 is a Georgia state seal, 6, North Carolina state seal, 7, North Carolina Starburst, 8, a confederate button. Last two rows at bottom are military and civilian cuff buttons. Explanation Sought In Money Return John Hawkins, Republican Party chairman for Warren County, appeared at the board meeting to learn why the Board of Education returned money to the state which had been earmarked for paying aides. Superintendent Peeler told Hawkins the county has a salary schedule based on number of year's experience and each county's scale is different. He said aides should be paid as much as the state would allow but then would make more than the school secretary. Peeler said he believed that eventually the state would set a statewide salary schedule and then the county commissioners would allot more for secretaries and other such personnel and aides could be paid more. Hawkins reflected that an aide is like a teacher and is closer to the children than a secretary. Peeler noted that a secretary is better qualified and has more responsibility. Only one in the present 34 aides in Warren County is certified, Peeler said. He explained that all the aides understood the money situation and that most of the aides were taking courses toward being certified. Declines Job The Board of Education was informed that a psychologist approved for employment last month did not accept the job. Superintendent Peeler said the man was employed at the Lumberton Mental Health Department Peeler said he spent one day in Warren County and found out he could not repay a loan by working in the public schools and had to work in a clinic so he had to turn down the offer. Family Satisfied Ernest Turner, chairman of the Board of Education, noted that the Creech family was satisfied with the present situation at South Warren. They appeared at the last regular board meeting requesting transfer from the school. Hedgepeth Elected The board elected Doris Hedgepeth as a part-time clerk to serve all the elementary libraries. She will probably spend three days a week and about a month at each school updating library cards, Peeler told the board. She will make $1600 a year. Grant Sought The board was informed that a special grant for funds for the handicapped was being worked on by Mrs. Rachel Ricks. They agreed to wait until the project was approved to seek employment of another psychologist. State Meeting Board members were reminded of the State School Boards Association meeting to be held in Wilmington Nov. 3-5. Superintendent Peeler invited all the members to a dinner at his house at Wrightsville Beach if they attend. Time Saver Keep a nail file close to the telephone for a time-saving manicure while you talk. symbols worn by military personnel of the 1860s. Not the least impressive among these are the medals, badges, plates and pins worn by officers and enlisted men, among which is what Bennett believes to have been a Medal of Honor worn by a Confederate officer in the siege of Fort Anderson. On it is written "The Seal of the State of North Carolina." Printed on this medal are two women. One, holding a staff, represents Faith; the other, "holding horn of fruit, represents Plenty. This medal, of excellent workmanship, is made of bronze. His button collection from Union and Confederate uniforms tell something of the history of the men who wore them. Often they bear the state seal, or a letter indicating the specific expertise of the soldier. For example, R stands for rifleman, I for infantry and D for dragoon, the pistol corps. Two of these buttons, Bennett is particularly proud of: a revolutionary button of 1860 and a North Carolina Starburst. The Starbursts, he says, are beautiful in silver. At Fort Beauregard Bennett hopes to find the button worn by The Warren Rifles militia, a local unit. "I think it's going to be a pretty button." Some artifacts from the 1860s are still alive, such as the cannon ball Bennett got from Fort Anderson. The ball has a four second fuse and is still alive. Bennett says that "a thump" would set it off. When asked if it would demolish the house, Bennett replied, "Well, let's put it like this: it would make a big mess." Bennett also has artifacts from the 1860s which are as much a symbol of peace as of war, and their juxtaposition makes a poignant statement. A coffee mug and canteen are so rusty now that one dare not pick them up but with the greatest care. And there .art bits and pieces of leather from a horse's bridle, jars, a brass bottle top, and two hoes, one of which was found in Warren County. New Doctor Is Opening Practice At Maria Parham Maria Parham Hospital has announced the addition of Dr. Philip D. Meador to the Medical Staff. Dr. Meador received his M.D. degree from the University of North Carolina in 1971. He completed his internship in 1972 at William A. Shanda Hospital at the University of Florida and his residency in Dermatology at North Carolina Memorial Hospital in Chapel Hill in 1975. He served as Chief of Dermatology at U. S. General Leonard Wood Army Hospital at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri from 1975-1977. Dr. Meador's specialty is dermatology which deals with diseases of the skin, hair and nails. His office is located in the Medical Service Building of Maria Parham Hospital, Ruin Creek Road. Dr. Meador, a native of Franklinton, is married to Nancejo S. Meador, formerly of St. Petersburg, Fla. The Meador's have two daughters, Emily, age four, and Dorothy, age two. Evans Appointed Insurance Agent Employers Investment Corporation of Ahoskie has announced the appointment of Marvin B. Evans as agent for ITT Life Insurance for the Halifax and Warren County area. Evans is a graduate of Eastman High School and Wilson Technical Institute. He is married to the former Evelyn Cyrus and They have three children. The Evans make their home in Hollister. . ."A thump" would set off this live cannon ball which A1 Bennett found near Fort Anderson. (Staff Photos By Ken Ferruccio) •intern THE LIGHT TOUCH From... ALEX S. WATKINS/ Inc. "Your Homi'i Icil Fnmnd Inflation is when a nickel piece of penny candy costs a dime. Just about the time most of us get our summer vacations paid for, It's time to start worrying about Christmas. Saccharin Is the stuff that keeps your torso from getting moreso The rat race Isn't so bad if you're a big cheese. Alexander Graham Bell gave us the telephone. Teenagers took him one step further: they gave us the busy signal. We're never too busy to help you select the right materials at Alex Watklns, Inc.. West Montgomery St. TO INTRODUCE OUR NEW FIREPLACE SHOP WE ARE GIVING AWAY FREE TO THE FIRST 50 CUSTOMERS A FIREPLACE POP CORN POPPER (l» Ywr» Or OMt, PI««m) ALEX WATKINS BUILDING SUPPLY
The Warren Record (Warrenton, N.C.)
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Oct. 13, 1977, edition 1
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