KINSTON, N.C. – Confederate forces were well in control of the fight during the early days of the Civil War, until the arrival of Union Gen. Ambrose Burnside at the Outer Banks. Author Michael Zatarga will speak on his title, “The Battle of Roanoke Island: Burnside and the Fight for North Carolina,” Feb. 10, 11 a.m. at the CSS Neuse Civil War Interpretive Center. This is a free event.

The Battle of Roanoke Island, Feb. 7-8, 1862, occurred after Gen. Burnside breeched the beaches of Roanoke Island in an amphibious assault. There had been no Union victories over the Confederates to that point. Northerners were overwhelmed by the bloodshed and questioned if the cost of the war was too great. Burnside’s victory shifted control of the sounds to the Union and altered strategy of the war. Author and historian Michael Zatarga retraces the crucial fight on Roanoke Island.

“The book is informative and well researched. It brings to light a little-known battle on the coast of North Carolina that had a big impact on the course of the American Civil War,” says Operations Manager Morris Bass.

Author Michael Zatarga grew up surrounded by history in New York’s Hudson Valley and holds B.A. and M.A. degrees in history. He has worked for the National Park Service at Guildford Courthouse and Fort Raleigh and was coordinator for Civil War 150th commemoration event, “Outer Banks: Flags Over Hatteras.” He lives on Roanoke Island with his wife and three children.

The CSS Neuse is the only remaining commissioned Confederate ironclad above water. It was part of a new technology that the Confederacy used to combat the superior manpower and firepower of the Union Navy. Learn about this technological advance and warfare in eastern North Carolina at the CSS Neuse Civil War Interpretive Center. The Confederate Navy launched the CSS Neuse hoping to gain control of the lower Neuse River and New Bern, but ultimately destroyed the vessel to keep it out of Union hands.

The CSS Neuse Civil War Interpretive Center is located at 100 N. Queen St., Kinston, N.C., and open Tuesday-Saturday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Admission: adults $5, senior/active military $4, Students (ages 3-12) $3, ages 2 and under free.

For additional information, please call the site at (252) 526-9600 x222. The CSS Neuse Center and the Richard Caswell Memorial are within the Division of State Historic Sites in the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources