Columbus County

Columbus County, situated on the southeastern border of North Carolina, is a county within the United States. Its county seat is Whiteville. According to the 2020 census, the population stands at 50,623, reflecting a decrease of 12.9% compared to the population in 2010. 
During the American Civil War, the majority of white men in the county actively participated in the conflict, while free blacks and mulattoes were exempted from service. Although the county itself was not directly involved in the fighting, the demands of the war placed significant strain on the local labor and food markets. Additionally, the heavy rainfall experienced in 1863 resulted in diminished grain yields.