The Carolinas Campaign

After making his famous "March to the Sea" to Savannah, Ga., in late 1864, Union Gen. William T. Sherman cast his eyes northward toward the Carolinas and a possible link-up with Gen. U.S. Grant, who then was tightening his noose around Gen. Robert E. Lee at Petersburg, Va.

Sherman's army of 60,000 entered South Carolina in February 1865 and moved quickly north, burning the capital at Columbia and destroying and looting countless civilian farms and plantations.

Entering North Carolina the first week in March, Sherman marched toward Goldsboro, an important railroad junction sitting on what had been "Lee's Lifeline." Union forces quickly captured Fayetteville and burned the arsenal there. Confederate resistance at Averasboro was swept aside.

Confederate commander Gen. Joseph Johnston managed to assemble a force large enough to put up a fight at Bentonville March 19–21, but the weight of Sherman's advance eventually overwhelmed him.

Johnston withdrew, his army ending up west of Raleigh. After more than a week of negotiation near Durham, Johnston surrendered his troops April 26, 1865.

More reading

Last Stand in the Carolinas: The Battle of Bentonville by Mark Bradley, published by DaCapo Press 1996

This Astounding Close, The Road to Bennett Place by Mark Bradley, published by the University of North Carolina Press 2000

Sherman's March through North Carolina by Angley, Cross and Hill, published by Division of Archives and History, North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources

Map / Brochures

Free, full-color map/brochures are available from the following sources:

• Fill out our Free Info form for the map plus information about more Civil War sites in Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina and West Virginia
• Call 800-VISIT-NC
• Visit www.visitnc.com
• Download a PDF version [612K]. This requires Acrobat Reader, which is available free from Adobe

~ Driving Tour ~

Sherman gathered his army at Cheraw, SC, in late February 1865 then moved north. The official Civil War Trails driving tour follows the roads the soldiers used from North Carolina's southern border to just west of Durham.

Civil War Trails sites:

Murdock-Morrison Gun Factory, Trails sign located at 10421 Old Wire Road (Route 144), 2 miles north of Laurel Hill – Rifles and other weapons used by the Confederate army were manufactured here until part of Sherman's army marched through in early March 1865. The soldiers encountered towering pine forests, some of which were set on fire by retreating Confederates, and a carpet of pine needles on the Old Wire Road as they entered North Carolina.

Old Laurel Hill Church, Trails sign located at the intersection of Old Wire Road (Route 144) and MacFarland Road, 5 miles north of Laurel Hill – Sherman and part of his army camped here the evening of March 8, issuing orders to deal "moderately and fairly" with the citizens of North Carolina. The church, still standing, maintains examples of soldier graffiti from the episode.

Wagram, Trails sign located adjacent to the John Charles McNeil House at the intersection of Old Wire Road (Route 144) and Arch McLean Road, 1 mile south of Route 401 – Sherman's troops used trees and fence posts to "pave" the muddy road here during their march to Fayetteville. Confederate cavalry began harassing the march near here.

Laurinburg, Trails sign located in the town park at South Main and Church streets – As Wilmington was threatened in early 1865, some of its railroad facilities and citizens relocated here, a stop on the Wilmington, Charlotte and Rutherford Railroad. Sherman's forces entered the town on March 7 and destroyed the depot, shops and other railroad facilities.

Stewart-Malloy House, Trails sign located at 18601 Harry Malloy Road, Exit Highway 74 onto Business 74 East, turn right onto Rocky Ford Road (which becomes Harry Malloy Road) and travel 1.5 miles – Union Gen. Joseph Roswell Hawley was born here in 1826, moving north in 1837. Hawley returned to the area with the Union army after the fall of Wilmington and stayed on as the Military Reconstruction commander in the area. Part of Sherman's army marched by the house March 8.

Fayetteville Arsenal, sign located in the Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex, 801 Arsenal Ave., Fayetteville – Sherman destroyed the arsenal here March 11, 1865. It was one of his first objectives after entering North Carolina. The history of the arsenal, some of the ruins, and outlines of some of the original structures are preserved here. (See museum listing in Central Section.)

Edward J. Hale House, Trails sign on Hay Street, 50 yards from the intersection with Fort Bragg Road, in Fayetteville – The home of the pro-Southern editor still stands here near the arsenal, but the offices of his Fayetteville Observer were burned by Sherman's soldiers.

Sandford House, 225 Dick St., Fayetteville– Local tradition has it that this house, home to John Sandford, was used as a barracks for Sherman's troops during the occupation of the town. Later, the building was owned by John Daingerfield, who was a clerk at the Harpers Ferry arsenal during John Brown's 1859 Raid and came to town when some of the equipment there was transferred to the local arsenal after the war began.

Market House, Trails sign northeast corner of Market House Square, Green and Person streets, Fayetteville – This stately landmark and town centerpiece, dating from 1832, was the scene of a brief cavalry action as Union forces entered Fayetteville.

Old Bluff Church, Trails sign 13 miles north of Fayetteville off US 301 at Dunn and Old Bluff roads – Most of Sherman's left wing (about 30,000 troops) marched past this church March 14 on the way north from Fayetteville. The troops encountered increasingly strong resistance culminating in the battle at Averasboro March 15–16.

Battle of Averasboro (March 15–16) – Well developed and preserved battlefield 4 miles south of Dunn along Route 82 features museum, cemetery and short driving tour interpreted stops. Civil War Trails sign at the museum. Hours are Tuesday–Saturday 10 am–5 pm, Sunday 1–5 pm. Free, donations are welcome. 919-891-5019. (See museum listing in Central Section.)

Sherman's Left Wing Departs, Trails sign at Longbranch Road and Norma Drive, one-half mile west of I-95 Exit 71 – After the fighting at Averasboro, Sherman continued his advance toward Goldsboro, passing this point.

Route to Bentonville, Trails sign at the East Pointe Shopping Center, corner of Routes 55 and 421 – Sherman's left wing passed by this point March 17 while Johnston, then at Smithfield, searched for a way to slow the Union advance.

Battle of Bentonville (March 19–21) – Nicely preserved and interpreted Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site offers audio-visual programs, a bookstore and driving tour information at the visitor center. Tours of the nearby Harper House, used as a hospital after the battle, are available. Trails sign on site. (See listing in Central Section.)

"Merging of the Armies," Trails sign 1 mile north of the state battlefield visitor center on Devil's Racetrack Road – Dug-in Confederates here and near here held off Union attacks March 20–21 after Sherman's wings reunited.

Village of Bentonville, Trails sign 3 miles north of the state battlefield visitor center on Devil's Racetrack Road – This tiny wartime community was a focus for Confederate activity early in the battle. It was the site of Johnston's headquarters and of hospitals serving the wounded from both sides. A Union attack March 21 near here was held back, but the Confederates retreated toward Smithfield that night.

Hannah's Creek Bridge, Trails sign 4 miles north of the state battlefield visitor center on Devil's Racetrack Road at the Howell Learning Center – Confederates held this position the evening of March 21 as most of Johnston's army left the Bentonville area bound for Smithfield. Union soldiers were on their heels. Skirmishing here hastened the Southern retreat.

Confederate Line of March, Trails sign 7 miles north of the state battlefield visitor center on Devil's Racetrack Road – This is the main road used March 19 by Johnston as he deployed his Confederate army south from Smithfield before the Battle of Bentonville. Part of Johnston's army used this "wretched road" on its retreat from the battlefield three days later.

Union Line of March, Trails sign at the North Carolina Highway Patrol station on Route 301, one-half mile north of I-95 – Elements of the Union X Corps marched by this spot after leaving Goldsboro April 10 heading northwest toward Raleigh.

Hastings House, Trails sign at the corner of Front and East Johnston streets in Smithfield – This 1854 home served as headquarters for Confederate Gens. Johnston and Bragg mid-March 1865. From here, Johnston ordered the concentration of forces and the attack March 19 at Bentonville. Johnston returned after the battle, resting his battered army.

Occupation of Smithfield, Trails sign at the Johnston County Courthouse, Second and Market streets – Confederates withdrew from Smithfield April 11, and the town soon was occupied by Union infantry. Sherman established his headquarters at the courthouse, announcing Lee's surrender from its steps.

Mitchener Station, Trails sign at the corner of Buffalo and Old Beulah roads, 1.5 miles north from the Route 70 bypass – The last reviews of Johnston's Confederate army occurred here April 4 and 7. The troops were urged to "fight till Hell freezes over!" by North Carolina Gov. Zebulon B. Vance. A week later, the army pulled out toward Raleigh.

Brassfield Station, Trails sign located at the Durham Fire Station at the intersection of Miami Blvd and TW Alexander Drive – Union cavalry forces pursued Confederates along the line of the railroad and past this station after Raleigh was occupied April 13. This rural area was home to white farmers and an unusually large number of free blacks during the war.

Durham's Station, Trails sign located adjacent to the Durham Bull's Athletic Field, at the corner of Blackwell and North Dillard streets, 2 blocks south of Main Street – Union Gen. Wiliam T. Sherman arrived at the railroad station here April 17, 1865, to discuss peace with Confederate Gen. Joseph Johnston.

Last Shots, Trails sign located at Patterson's Country Store on Farrington Road, 1 mile west of Highway 54. From I-40, take Exit 273 onto Highway 54 West, turn right at first traffic light onto Farrington Road The store is 1 mile on the right – Several heavy skirmishes near here proved to be the last of the Civil War in North Carolina as Union cavalry pursued retreating Confederates.

West Point Truce Line, Trails sign located in the parking lot of West Point Park on the Eno, off Route 501 North, 5 miles north of I-85 – This was the northern boundary of the truce line established April 19, 1865, while the army commanders negotiated peace terms at Bennett Place. It was an uneasy truce, though, with stragglers and hungry civilians scavenging for food.

Bennett Place – State historic site at 4409 Bennett Memorial Road in Durham. This was the site of surrender negotiations begun April 17 between Gens. Johnston and Sherman. The event was finalized April 26. Trails sign on site. (For more, see Durham listing in Central North Carolina.)

Last Encampment (Dickson House site), Trails sign in the Hampton Pointe Shopping Center off Route 86 (I-85 Exit 165) – Much of Gen. Joseph Johnston's army camped near here April 1865 while surrender negotiations were going on at the Bennett Place. The structure located here, the Dickson House, was the headquarters of Confederate Gen. Wade Hampton and was the scene of many important meetings. The house has been moved to the Hillsborough's historic district and serves as the town's visitor center.

Battle of Wyse Fork – Another battle related to the Carolinas Campaign was fought March 8–10, 1865. Union Gen. John Schofield began moving west from New Bern in early March and was met by a variety of Confederate forces east of Kinston. For a description, see the Coastal Section Kinston-area listings.