The Civil War and the Octagon House.

Fort Macon

In mid-March 1862, following his capture of Roanoke Island and New Berne, Maj. Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside was ready to accomplish the third objective of his North Carolina coastal campaign: the seizure of Fort Macon, on the eastern tip of Bogue Banks Island, just below Beaufort. This was accomplished by siege and the fort finally fell into Union hands on April 26, 1862.



Union soldiers advance from
Morehead City toward Swansboro.


After the fall of Fort Macon Union troops advanced from Morehead City and controlled most of Carteret County all the way up to the White Oak River between Cedar Point and Swansboro.




The Octagon House.
circa 1860's

 



The Octagon House was abandoned during the Civil War. The house and plantation were occupied by Union soldiers during the advance toward Swansboro. Occupation by the Northern troops was unkind to the whole plantation. All the furniture in the house, even the rugs on the floor, were taken out and burned or otherwise destroyed. All the livestock on the farm was slaughtered. The occupation lasted a couple weeks until Southern troops advanced back across the White Oak River causing the Federals to fall back to Morehead City. It was amazing that the house was not burned down as was their custom.



Confederate troops advance back across
the White Oak River causing the Yankees
to retreat back to Morehead City.

Fortunately, the Octagon House survived the Civil War.



Fountain at Octagon House today.