Controlled burns scheduled at KM National Military Park

By Katherine Lynn Park Ranger

Kings Mountain National Military Park announced today, a series of prescribed burns will be conducted within the park boundaries through the end of May. Locations to be burned are as follows:

• North Central burn unit

– 385 ac -Combines Swale and Midway burn units. Swale unit is bordered to the west by Yorkville/Shelbyville Road, Midway burn unit to the east and to the south by the Clarks Creek, the Clarks Creek Trail, and the Battlefield burn unit.

The Midway unit borders East line burn unit to the west in the park’s northeast boundary of the park. Unit is bound to the south by the Clarks Creek and the Clarks Creek Trail and to the west of Midway by the Swale burn unit.

• Howser –31 ac- Located near the Northwest boundary of the park, southwest of Rock House Road, and North of the Stonehouse Branch. Unit is contained by roads and natural boundaries. Northern boundary of this unit is Kings Creek. Rock House Road and the power line make up the eastern boundary. Stonehouse Branch makes up the southern boundary. Sections of Dellingham Rd. and Howser House Rd. form the western boundary.

• Battlefield –175 ac-Located primarily behind the visitor center. The northern boundary of this unit is Colonial Road which branches south onto Yorkville Shelbyville Road. The trail system north from the visitor center serves as part of the Eastern Boundary. Highway 216 (Main Park Drive) comprises the remainder of the eastern, southern, and western boundaries.

• Mineshaft – 39 acNorthcentral portion of the park along Main Park Drive and the northern boundary. Unit is contained by an unnamed stream which has significant water flow sufficient to contain the fire. Unit is bound to the northeast by the Huffman Hill unit. The Park boundary (Duke Power Right-of-Way) serves as the northwest border of the unit. Private lands are adjacent to this right-of way, access has been granted to utilize the private property owners gate to access this portion of the unit with UTV’s and engine.

Wildland fire crews are working to prepare these units for safe and effective prescribed burns, conducted in accordance with the approved fire management plan and as weather conditions allow throughout the spring season. Surrounding communities may expect minimal smoke and visibility impacts during the burns. Some access to trails and grounds within the burn areas may be temporarily restricted during burn activ-

Camden Battlefield Revolutionary War Soldiers to be honored, reinterred

The South Carolina Battleground Preservation Trust released the schedule of events for the Camden Burials, April 20–22, for the reinterment of the remains of fourteen Revolutionary War soldiers excavated in the fall of 2022.

“Honoring these heroes in a respectful manner and ensuring the permanent protection of their remains is the mission of this effort,” commented Doug Bostick, CEO, South Carolina Battleground Preservation Trust. “Over a period of three days, the public will have numerous opportunities to participate in the ceremonies and pay their respects.”

The weekend of events begins on Thursday, April 20, as the remains of the fourteen Revolutionary War soldiers will be escorted back to Camden. The public is invited to honor these soldiers by assembling on the procession route.

The remains of the soldiers will lie in repose at the Kershaw Cornwallis House. The public is invited to pay their respects starting Thursday evening at 6:00 p.m. through midnight Friday. Thursday evening from 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m., the Revolutionary War Visitor Center will host a panel discussion with Dr. Mattie Atwell, James Legg, Dr. Steven

Smith, and Dr. Bill Stevens about the project and what the forensic and archaeological study has revealed.

On Friday, April 21, reenactors will be assembled to honor the fourteen soldiers at a living history camp at Historic Camden. From 10 p.m. to 8 p.m. the public is invited to visit the camp and interact with the reenactors. On Friday evening, the heralded US Army Old Guard will offer a public concert and a narrated demonstration. The event is free; however, prior registration is required.

Beginning early Saturday morning, April 22, the funeral cortege will leave Historic Camden and make its way to Bethesda Presbyterian Church. The public is invited to watch the cortege along Broad Street and follow the procession to the church. The funeral service will begin at 11:00 AM outdoors at Bethesda Presbyterian Church. At 3:00 P.M. the Burial Honors Ceremony will commence at the Camden Battlefield. The battlefield ceremony is open to the public, but due to space limitations prior online registration is required.

The Camden Burials Project is the result of a significant historic discovery at the Revolutionary War Camden Battlefield. The Trust, acting on behalf of Historic Camden Foundation, contracted with the South Carolina Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of South Carolina to excavate a number of bodies of Revolutionary War soldiers killed in the August 16, 1780 Battle of Camden.

A team of archaeologists from the South Carolina Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, along with biological anthropologists from the Richland County Coroner’s office and the University of South Carolina unearthed the skeletal remains and accompanying artifacts of 14 Revolutionary War soldiers.

“These young men demonstrated their allegiance in an intense battle for liberty. They are truly America’s first veterans,” said Doug Bostick, CEO, South Carolina Battleground Preservation Trust. “We have a responsibility to honor their sacrifice by ensuring their remains are protected in perpetuity and their stories of bravery are shared.”

Based on preliminary field examinations, the team believes that twelve individuals are Patriot Continental soldiers from either Maryland or Delaware, one is likely a North Carolina Loyalist, and one served with the British 71st Regiment of Foot, Fraser’s Highlanders.

Bostick continued, “When these young men marched into the darkness on that summer night in 1780, they did so out of love for their country despite the consequences that may befall them. Our intent is to lay them to rest with the respect and honor they earned more than two centuries ago.”

The City of Camden and Kershaw County have partnered closely in the planning for the weekend of events. “The City of Camden is deeply honored to host this once in a lifetime event,” remarked Alfred Mae Drakeford, mayor, Camden. “We very much appreciate all that Doug Bostick and his SCBPT team are undertaking to honor our Revolutionary War heroes in such a moving and respectful manner.” ities for visitor and wildland fire crew safety.

The timing of the prescribed burn implementation is dependent upon a variety of conditions as burns are conducted within specific parameters that consider temperature, relative humidity, fuel moisture, wind speed, and wind direction. The safety of firefighters and the public is the num- ber one priority of all NPS wildland fire management activities. Informational updates and alerts regarding prescribed burn activities in the park will be posted on the park website and social media.

Fire is an essential and natural process that has shaped the landscape of Kings Mountain National Military Park for thousands of years. Prescribed burns are conducted in the park to reduce the risk of wildland fire, and to restore native vegetation and historic landscapes. All areas of historic, cultural, and ecological importance are identified and protected throughout the planning and implementation of prescribed burns.

(Editor’s. Note: The recipes in today’s Cooking Corner are from “100 Years in the Kitchen” by Women of Kings Mountain’s First Presbyterian Church.)

¼ t. salt

CHICKEN CASSEROLE

Arlene Barrett

4 chicken breasts, stewed, save broth, cut in bite-size pieces. Place in 8x12x2 baking dish

Mix:

1 can cream of chicken soup

1 can cream of mushroom soup

¼ cup milk

Pour over chicken and add 2 tablespoons margarine. Mix 2 cups chicken broth with 1 pkg. stuffing mix. Spoon over chicken mixture. Brown in oven 400 to 4 25 degrees for 30 minutes.

POTATO CASSEROLE

Marion Thomasson

Two lb. pkg. hash brown potatoes, thaw partiallyuncooked.

8 oz. sour cream

8 oz. grated Cheddar cheese (½ lb.)

2 cans cream of potato soup, undiluted

Salt and pepper

Spray 9x13 pan with pam. Put mixture in casserole. Sprinkle with ¼ cup Parmesan cheese. Bake ½ hour at 300 degrees.

VEGETABLE CASSEROLE

Clara Rhea

2 cans Veg All drain

1 can cream of chicken soup

½ cup mayonnaise

Reserve ½ cup liquid from Veg All. Mix all together in casserole. Add ½ cup cheese nip crackers, crushed to top of casserole. Melt 1 stick butter and pour on top. Bake 20 minutes at 400 degrees.

CHOCOLATE SYRUP

CAKE

Debbie Patterson

1 stick margarine

1 cup sugar

4 eggs

2 cups plain flour

2 t. baking powder

1 can chocolate syrup

1 t. vanilla

Cream together margarine and sugar. Add other ingredients Mix well. Bake in tube pan for 1 hour at 350 degrees.

HEAVENLY CAKE

Jane King

1 box Deluxe II yellow cake mix

Mix and bake cake in long pan

1 large can crush pineapple

1 cup sugar

1 large box vanilla instant pudding

Mix sugar and pineapple together and bring to a boil. Pour over cake while hot. Mix pudding and put on top of the pineapple. Put cake in refrigerator and cool. Spread large container of Cool Whip over cooled cake. Spread coconut on top along with crushed pecans.