As the Civil War continued the need arose for establishing a Home Guard made up of the older and younger men who had not volunteered nor conscripted into the war.

So in late 1863 Governor Zebulon B. Vance appointed John Wesley McElroy to serve as Brigadier General in command of the Western North Carolina Home Guard he would be based from his old home in the heart of downtown Burnsville. Fortunately for its citizens because in the Spring of 1864 an upraising of 75 men lead by local Montreval Ray himself a Confederate deserter tried to plunder and destroy the stores and businesses in Burnsville. Gen. McElroy called for aid from Col John B. Palmer who responded with 200 men and artillery to reestablish order to the town

The Civil War Trails program has installed more than 1,000 interpretive markers at Civil War sites in Virginia, Maryland, Tennessee, West Virginia and North Carolina.
Driving tours, that follow major campaigns, have been created and a series of regional brochures are available upon request.
Civil War Trail listings for each state can be picked up at visitor centers in those states.

Individual : $20.00 USD - yearly Family : $40.00 USD - yearly Senior (60+) : $15.00 USD - yearly Senior Family (60+) : $30.00 USD - yearly Silver Business : $100.00 USD - yearly Gold Business : $250.00 USD - yearly