KINGSPORT — The annual Netherland Inn Christmas Party takes place this weekend with an open house, lavishly decorated in 1818 style with plenty of music and food. At the same time, the Sons of Confederate Veterans plan to camp on the grounds at the inn and commemorate the Battle of Kingsport, which took place on the banks of the Holston River in 1864.
The Christmas party will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $10 each with children 6 and under admitted free with a paying adult. Tickets can be purchased at the door or in advance at Town and Country Realty, River Mountain Antiques, the Kingsport Chamber of Commerce and P&J Antiques.
Visitors can enjoy live holiday music and snack on seasonal treats as they tour the inn and its grounds. Martha Egan and friends will perform Friday night, followed by the Celtic band Sigean on Saturday evening and the Ben Ellis Band on Sunday afternoon.
The Sons of Confederate Veterans John S. Mosby Camp of Kingsport will also be on hand at the inn this weekend to commemorate the Battle of Kingsport, which took place Dec. 13, 1864, on the banks of the Holston River at what is now Rotherwood bridge.
Historic re-enactors will be on hand to visit with guests and discuss the Battle of Kingsport on Friday and Saturday. The ceremony commemorating the battle will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday.
The Battle of Kingsport took place when a small band of Confederate soldiers led by Col. Richard Morgan stood their ground against a large Union regiment led by Maj. Gen. George Stoneman and Maj. Gen. Cullem Gillem, only to be approached from behind by a Union force led by Col. Samuel Patton.
Eighteen soldiers were killed and 84 captured as the Confederates were overrun, allowing Union forces to continue to Bristol, Wytheville and Saltville, where they captured and destroyed trains, lead mines and salt works.
Proceeds from the Christmas party support the maintenance and restoration of the Netherland Inn and Boatyard, the only site on the National Register of Historic Places to have served as both a stage stop and a boat yard. For more information, call Carolyn Allen at (423) 246-3263 or Rusty Light at (423) 246-1104.