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Other Names: Battle of Bentonville
Location: Johnston County
Campaign: Campaign of the Carolinas (February-April 1865)
Date(s): March 19-21, 1865
Principal Commanders: Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman and Maj. Gen. Henry Slocum
[US]; Gen. Joseph E. Johnston [CS]
Forces Engaged: Sherman’s Right Wing (XX and XIV Corps) [US]; Johnston's
Army [CS]
Estimated Casualties: 4,738 total (US 1,646; CS 3,092)
| Battle of Bentonville |
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| Battle of Bentonville Historical Marker |
Description: While Slocum’s
advance was stalled at Averasborough by Hardee’s troops, the right wing of Sherman’s army under command of Maj.
Gen. O.O. Howard marched toward Goldsboro. On March 19, Slocum encountered the entrenched Confederates of Gen. Joseph
E. Johnston who had concentrated to meet his advance at Bentonville. Late afternoon, Johnston attacked, crushing the line
of the XIV Corps. Only strong counterattacks and desperate fighting south of the Goldsboro Road blunted the Confederate offensive.
Elements of the XX Corps were thrown into the action as they arrived on the field. Five Confederate attacks failed to dislodge
the Federal defenders and darkness ended the first day’s fighting. During the night, Johnston contracted his line into
a “V” to protect his flanks with Mill Creek to his rear. On March 20, Slocum was heavily reinforced, but fighting
was sporadic. Sherman was inclined to let Johnston retreat. On the 21st, however, Johnston remained in position while he removed
his wounded. Skirmishing heated up along the entire front. In the afternoon, Maj. Gen. Joseph Mower led his Union division
along a narrow trace that carried it across Mill Creek into Johnston’s rear. Confederate counterattacks stopped Mower’s
advance, saving the army’s only line of communication and retreat. Mower withdrew, ending fighting for the day. During
the night, Johnston retreated across the bridge at Bentonville. Union forces pursued at first light, driving back Wheeler’s
rearguard and saving the bridge. Federal pursuit was halted at Hannah’s Creek after a severe skirmish. Sherman, after
regrouping at Goldsboro, pursued Johnston toward Raleigh. On April 18, Johnston signed an armistice with Sherman at the Bennett
House, and on April 26, formally surrendered his army. Bentonville was the last major battle of the American Civil War.
| Battle of Bentonville Battlefield Map |
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| Courtesy North Carolina Office of Archives and History |
Battle of Bentonville Map
Sources: National Park Service: American Civil War; North Carolina Office of Archives and History.
Recommended Reading: Confederate
Military History of North Carolina; North Carolina in the American Civil War; Battle of Bentonville
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