Bentonville

• Cole's Plantation

  

  On March 19, 1865 Confederate Gen. Wade Hampton selected the plantation of Willis Cole as the ideal location to halt the Union advance. An initial attack by Federals under Brig. Gen William P. Carlin revealed the strength of the Hampton's position and Carlin's men were ultimately driven from the field in the direction of the Morris Farm.

  Steve Stanley

• Morris Farm

  

  It was at this site that Union forces at the Morris Farm were able to slow and then halt the Confederate assault on the 19th of March, 1865. The exhausted Confederate troops, who had launched their final attack at sundown, were forced to retreat back to their lines from this position.

  Chris Heisey

• High Tide at Morris Farm

  

  It was at this site that Union forces at the Morris Farm were able to slow and then halt the Confederate assault on the 19th of March, 1865. The exhausted Confederate troops, who had launched their final attack at sundown, were forced to retreat back to their lines from this position.

  Steve Stanley

• High Tide Marker

  

  Fields of Confederate Attack at High Tide Stop. It was here that the Confederate assault on March 19th, 1865 reached its zenith. The last grand charge of the Army of Tennessee crested near the Morris Farm along the Goldsboro road.

  Steve Stanley

• Federal Earthworks

  

  Following the fighting on March 19, 1865, Union troops entrenched in preparation of the next day's attack. Remnants of these works can still be seen today.

  Douglas Ullman, Jr.

• Remains of Union Earthworks

  

  The remains of Union entrenchments on the Bentonville Battlefield

  Douglas Ullman, Jr.

• The Last Grand Charge

  

  The Last Grand Charge of the Army of Tennessee was made across these fields on March 19, 1865.

  Steve Stanley

• The Harper House

  

  The house of John and Amy Harper was used as a hospital for Union and Confederate troops. The original house, seen here, is next to a Confederate cemetery and the remnants of Federal fortifications.

  Steve Stanley

• Harper Family Cemetery

  

  This cemetery, located a short distance from the Harper House, serves as the final resting place for the family of John and Amy Harper.

  Douglas Ullman, Jr.

• Goldsboro Pike

  

  Confederates of Gen. Robert F. Hoke's division held this position, blocking the Goldsboro Pike before participating in the fight at the "Bull Pen."

  Chris Heisey

• The "Bull Pen"

  

  Union forces under Brigadier General James Morgan were assaulted and temporarily surrounded by Hoke's Division of Confederate troops. The fighting in the "Bull Pen" was some of the most severe of the 3 day battle.

  Chris Heisey

• Spectators at the Bentonville Reenactment

  

  Spectators make their way to the battlefield to watch the 145th anniversary reenactment of the Battle of Bentonville, held on March 19-21, 2010.

  Douglas Ullman, Jr.

• Marching into Battle

  

  Union reenactors prepare to do battle on the 145th Anniversary of the Battle of Bentonville

  Douglas Ullman, Jr.

• Tour Stop 2 - Morgan's Stand

  

  Union forces under Brigadier General James Morgan were assaulted and temporarily surrounded by Hoke's Division of Confederate troops. The fighting in the "Bull Pen" was some of the most severe of the 3 day battle.

  Steve Stanley

• Reliving Morgan's Stand

  

  Reenactors recreate the savage fighting in the "Bull Pen" for the battle's 145th Anniversary.

  Douglas Ullman, Jr.

• Hardee's Counterattack

  

  On the third day of the battle at Bentonville, troops under Lt. General William Hardee rushed to counterattack Union forces threatening to overrun the right wing of the Confederate position. Hardee's troops, fighting through pelting rain, were able to stop Maj. General Joe Mower's Union forces, but not before they quickly overran General Johnston's headquarters.

  Steve Stanley

• Tour Stop 3- N.C. Junior Reserves

  

  Late in the Civil War, the depleted Confederate forces increasingly relied upon younger troops to fill their ranks. During the Battle of Bentonville many 17 and 18 year old North Carolinians fought and died during the 3-day battle at Bentonville.

  Steve Stanley

• Federal Camp at Twilight

  

  The sun sets on Union reenactors encamped on the Bentonville Battlefield.

  Douglas Ullman, Jr.