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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able action advance already army arrived artillery attack Battery battle Bentonville Bragg Brigade campaign cavalry charge Charles Civil Colonel column command Company Confederacy Confederate continued Corps Davis Diary directed division Duke University enemy engaged face fact Federal field fighting final fire flank followed force formed forward front Georgia given Goldsboro Grant guns Hampton Hardee held Hill Historical Society Hoke's Illinois Indiana infantry Iowa John Johnston Major March meet Michigan miles military morning move movements needed night North Carolina officers Ohio once ordered position President Press ranks reached rear Rebel received regiments rest River road Robert sent served Sherman side skirmish Slocum soldiers South Southern staff supplies surrender Tennessee took troops turned Union United University Veteran victory western wing Wisconsin wounded 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.
Bibliographic information
| Title | Battle of Despair: Bentonville and the North Carolina Campaign |
| Author | Robert P. Broadwater |
| Editor | Robert P. Broadwater |
| Publisher | Mercer University Press, 2004 |
| ISBN | 0865548218, 9780865548213 |
| Length | 247 pages |
| Export Citation | BiBTeX EndNote RefMan |