Battle of Despair: Bentonville and the North Carolina CampaignThe Battle of Bentonville has become one of the forgotten battles of the Civil War. It became overshadowed by other major events such as the surrender of Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia and the assassination of President Lincoln. "Battle of Despair: Bentonville and the North Carolina Campaign chronicles the skirmishes and battles between the Union and Confederate forces under General William T. Sherman and General Joseph E. Johnson, respectively, that led to the ultimate capitulation of Johnston's army. The book relies heavily upon first-person accounts of the battle, with much of the action being related through the words of the actual participants. "Battle of Despair examines Johnston's struggle to create an army with which to oppose Sherman, the long adds Johnston faced, and the eventual surrender of that army--the largest body of Confederate men to surrender at the end of the war. |
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Common terms and phrases
1st Brigade 2nd Brigade advance Army of Tennessee arrived artillery assault Atlanta Atlanta Campaign attack Averasboro Battalion Battery Battle of Bentonville Bragg Braxton Bragg Buell's campaign captured Carlin's cavalry charge Charles Colonel command Confederacy Confederate army Confederate line Confederate Veteran Magazine consolidated Diary enemy Federal field fighting fire flank force front Georgia Goldsboro guns Hampton Hardee Hardee's Hill's Historical Society Hoke Hoke's Ibid Illinois Indiana infantry Iowa Joe Johnston John John Bell Hood Johnston's army Kilpatrick Kinston left wing Lieutenant Major March McClurg Michigan miles military morning Mower Neuse North Carolina officers Ohio 3rd Brigade ordered position Raleigh ranks rear Rebel regiments right wing road Robert Underwood Johnson Schofield sent Sherman Sherman's army skirmish line Slocum Smithfield Society of Wisconsin soldiers South surrender swamp troops Union army Union line USCT victory western army Wheeler William wounded XIV Corps XX Corps Yankees York
Popular passages
Page 196 - COMRADES : In terminating our official relations, I earnestly exhort you to observe faithfully the terms of pacification agreed upon, and to discharge the obligations of good and peaceful citizens, as well as you have performed the duties of thorough soldiers in the field.
Page 195 - States, until properly released from this obligation. 4. The side-arms of officers, and their private horses and baggage, to be retained by them. 5. This being done, all the officers and men will be permitted to return to their homes, not to be disturbed by the United States authorities, so long as they observe their obligation and the laws in force where they may reside.
Page 148 - I think I made a mistake there, and should rapidly have followed Mower's lead with the whole of the right wing, which would have brought on a general battle, and it could not have resulted otherwise than successfully to us, by reason of our vastly superior numbers; but at the moment, for the reasons given, I preferred to make junction with Generals Terry and Schofield, before engaging Johnston's army, the strength of which was utterly unknown.
Page 197 - You will return to your homes with the admiration of our people, won "by the courage and noble devotion you have displayed in this long war. I shall always remember with pride the loyal .support and generous confidence you have given me. " I now part with you with deep regret — and bid you farewell with feelings of cordial friendship ; and with earnest wishes that you may have hereafter all the prosperity and happiness to be found in the world.