Civil War Program to Highlight Local Events John B. Palmer was, in many ways, a man like many people today in the mountains: he had made his fortune elsewhere and had moved to the mountains in semi-retirement. Even though Palmer was from New York and not a slave owner, when the Civil War came, he sided with the South. Colonel Palmer rose to command the 58th North Carolina Troops, and later, the Department of Western North Carolina. In June 1864, another Colonel, George W. Kirk, a Tennesseean loyal to the Union, retreated through the High County from a raid on Morganton. He came up the Winding Stair Road near Linville Caverns, passed by Linville Falls, and moved through what is today Avery County to the Altamont township. There, he burned Colonel Palmer's house and all his possessions. Such was the war in the mountains. Another local couple would also provide daring tales for future researchers. Keith and Malinda Blalock, at first both Confederate soldiers but later Union soldiers, lived in the Coffey Gap area of Watauga County. During the war, they would guide escaped Union prisoners of war through the western mountains' own version of the Underground Railroad, often while being hunted by local Confederates. These, and many other stories, will be recounted at 8 pm., Saturday evening, September 8, at the Linville Falls Amphitheater on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Costumed historical interpreters from the 58th North Carolina Troops Preservation Society will be on hand to talk about local history, civilians, and the life of common soldiers, both away on distant battlefields, or at home in the Blue Ridge. This is a program for all ages and is free to the public. For more information, please call (828) 765-6082. _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp