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The True Story of the Tranquil Waterfront Park
The Algonquin word, Pasquotank, means where the current forks, and indeed it does. This is the Pasquotank River, a coastal water here in Northeastern NC between Camden and Pasquotank Counties, near the Virginia border. The water connects directly to Albemarle Sound and is part of the intracoastal waterway. Elizabeth City is a provisioning stop for coastal boaters. The pictures I’ve posted previously have been restful, scenic, with the boats bobbing gently on the tannic water. The serenity doesn’t tell the history, however. The historical markers do.
In 1862, the “Mosquito Fleet” (named, I think, because they were annoying) of Confederate Commodore William F. Lynch was destroyed by Union Commander Stephen C. Rowan where the Waterfront Park is today, and where the marker sites the Battle of Elizabeth City, Feb.10, 1862. Elizabeth City was captured by the Union Navy and was occupied by the Federal army for the remainder of the war, 1865. Local secessionists didn’t want to see their city under Federal control, so as the forces evacuated, they set fire to the city. The fire destroyed the courthouse and about two-thirds of the town before the fire was put out by the Unionists.
Local people were both Union supporters and Confederate sympathizers making this a lawless period with much blood shed on both sides during this time of divided allegiance in coastal Carolina.
I’m glad for the historical markers, lest it all be forgotten in the peaceful day-to-day life in Elizabeth City. We must never forget the dear price that has been paid for our peace all over our Nation. Stop and read the historical markers.