by Edward Ellis, Special Correspondent
There must have been a great sense of anticipation when the propeller-driven steamship Ellen S. Terry arrived at a New Bern wharf Tuesday afternoon June 27, 1865. For onboard, along with passengers and other merchandise, were the fireworks ordered from New York City by the “Committee of Arrangements” for the celebration of Independence Day.
New Bern citizens were only beginning to pick up the pieces at the end of the War Between the States. This would be the first Fourth of July following the great struggle and many residents were ready to make it a grand and joyful occasion.
Early in June, organizers gathered “in the Hall over the STEAM FIRE ENGINE, on Craven Street,” according to the New Bern Daily Times. Samuel Blagge, Charles Hibbard, and William Ferritt were assigned fund-raising chores, while J.T. Hough, W.B. Vaughn, W. R. Black, E. W. Gould, R.C. Kehoe, and A. Collins served on the committee to arrange the festivities.
Just after midnight on the 89th Anniversary of Independence, houses shook and windows rattled around town as cannon salutes were fired “from the various forts and vessels of war in the harbor.” Tuesday, July 4, 1865 “dawned as clear, bright, and cloudless as the heart could desire.” There would be more cannon fire throughout the day along with the ringing of church bells and other activities.
Grand Marshal W. G. Vaughn led the fire department’s men and horses in a parade through downtown streets. A program at the Episcopal Church featured a prayer by a U.S. Army chaplain, the reading of the Declaration of Independence, speeches, and music by the band of the 24th Massachusetts Regiment of Heavy Artillery. Patriotic songs were performed by the New Bern Glee Club.
And in the evening, of course, fireworks! The “celebrated Pyrotechnics establishment of the Edges of Jersey City, N.J.” had been engaged by the arrangements committee. The fireworks technicians launched their show from Washington Square at the corner of Middle and Broad streets at 8:00 p.m. It was said to have been “one of the finest pyrotechnic displays ever witnessed in the old North State.”