Key Civil War battle gets Wilmington Historical Marker

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Today is known as Juneteenth, a commemoration of the emancipation of African-American slaves. On this day, The City of Wilmington Commission of African American History honored those who fought in the Battle Forks Road with a historical marker.

The marker is near intersection of South 17th Street and Independence Boulevard where historians say the battle took place. The fighting at Forks Road was the last Confederate effort to keep Wilmington from Union control in February of 1865. African-American troops pushed the Confederates to Forks Road where the Cameron Art Museum sits today. Historians say more than 50 Union soldiers were killed during this battle.

“It’s very important to ones who have ancestors, if they are thought about in any kind of possible way, they will always remember,” said Frederick Johnson Sr.

As a Korean War veteran and Civil War Reenactor, Johnson said it is important to never forget our past. He also hopes when people see this marker, they will want to get involved in Civil War history.

“No one can give you anything at all if you’ve got your hands closed,” Johnson said.

On Saturday, a Juneteenth celebration is scheduled at the Martin Luther King Jr. Center on 8th Street. The event is from 10 a.m. till 6 p.m.