Battles & Campaigns · 1865
Battle of Bentonville
Bentonville, Johnston County, North Carolina, USA
What happened
Union forces under William T. Sherman fought the Confederate army of Joseph E. Johnston. Sherman's army was marching north through the Carolinas. Johnston attacked one wing and at first drove back two Union divisions, but the rest held. When the other Union wing arrived, Johnston withdrew across Mill Creek and burned the bridge behind him.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It was one of the last battles of Sherman's march and left Johnston's army badly weakened.
What came next
On 26 April 1865 Johnston surrendered to Sherman at Bennett Place in Durham. It was the largest surrender of the Civil War.
Timeline
- 19 March 1865Johnston attacks Sherman's left wing.
- 21 March 1865Johnston withdraws.
- 9 April 1865Lee surrenders.
- 26 April 1865Johnston surrenders at Bennett Place.