Bentonville, N.C.
March 19-21, 1865

Bentonville, N. C., March 19-21, 1865. 14th and 20th
Corps, left wing; 15th and 17th Corps, right wing; and Cavalry
Division, Sherman's Army. After the fight at Averasboro on
the 16th the army pushed forward in the direction of
Goldsboro, Sherman's object being to form a union with Gens.
Schofield and Terry, who were then on their way from New Berne
and Wilmington. On the morning of the 19th the 14th corps was
on Mill creek, about 8 miles from Bentonville, the 20th corps
being about 5 miles further to the rear. Howard, with four
divisions of the right wing in light marching order, was
further to the south on roads running parallel to the general
line of march. Kilpatrick, with his cavalry, who had pursued
Hardee in his retreat northward from Averasboro, was still in
the rear and slightly to the left of the 20th corps.
Johnston, the Confederate commander, was in telegraphic
communication with the different divisions of his army and
knew better than Sherman what progress Schofield and Terry
were making. He also understood that the movement of Sherman
toward Raleigh was merely a feint and had massed his forces at
Bentonville, determined to strike a blow at Sherman before
Schofield and Terry could arrive. When the march began on the
morning of the 19th Carlin's division, being the advance
column, found itself confronted by a division of Confederate
cavalry supported by a few pieces of artillery, under Gen.
Dibrell. A little later it was discovered that the entire
Confederate army, numbering 40,000 men, was in front. As soon
as Gen. Slocum found this out he took a defensive position and
communicated with the commanding general. Meantime Robinson's
brigade of the 20th corps had reached the field and
Kilpatrick, hearing the sound of the cannonading, hurried to
the assistance of Slocum, massing his forces on left of the
line, which was made up of two divisions of the 14th corps
under Gen. Davis and two divisions of the 20th under Gen.
Williams. Thus arranged, his line, protected by such
barricades as could be hastily constructed, withstood six
attacks by the combined forces of Hoke, Hardee and Cheatham,
directed by Johnston himself, the enemy each time being
repulsed with considerable loss. Owing to bad roads Howard
could not bring up the right wing in time to be of any
assistance. Late in the evening Slocum sent a messenger to
Sherman, who was with Howard, apprising him of the gravity of
the situation. This message was received at 2 o'clock on the
morning of the 20th and Sherman ordered Logan to send Hazen's
division to Slocum's relief by the shortest possible route.
Hazen reached the scene of action at dawn and during the
morning two more divisions, guarding the wagon train, also
arrived. The morning of the 20th found the whole situation
changed, for during the night Johnston had moved swiftly from
his position, intending a flank movement but was disappointed
when he discovered that Slocum had received reinforcements.
He then took up a position with Mill creek in his rear and his
left covered by a swamp. By 4 p. m Howard's whole force had
joined Slocum, forming a complete line of battle in front of
the Confederate position, and Johnston, instead of making his
flank movement a success, was compelled to act upon the
defensive. But little fighting was done on the 20th except by
skirmishers and artillery. On the morning of the 21st Gen.
Mower, who was on the extreme right, succeeded in finding a
way through the swamp in the endeavor to reach Mill creek
bridge and cut off Johnston's retreat. To protect this
movement Sherman ordered a general attack by the skirmish line
to draw the enemy's attention. Mower was discovered, however,
and repulsed by the reserves, but succeeded in regaining
connection with his own corps without serious loss. That
night Johnston retreated on Smithfield, leaving his dead upon
the field, 100 of whom were buried by Howard the next day.
The enemy was pursued for a few miles beyond Mill creek but
was stopped by Sherman's order. The Federal loss was 194
killed, 1,112 wounded and 221 missing. Johnston reported his
wounded as being 1,467 and 876 as killed and missing, but as a
matter of fact 267 dead and 1,625 prisoners fell into
Sherman's hands.

Source: The Union Army, vol. 5