The anniversary commemoration of the largest battle ever fought on North Carolina soil will have a different look this year. For the first time, visitors will be able to enjoy demonstrations, presentations, and tours all from the comfort of their own homes.
“Since we aren’t able to gather in large crowds at this time, we felt that this would be the best possible way to honor the men who fought in the battle along with the civilians who suffered because of it,” said Programs Coordinator Chad Jefferds, regarding taking the event online.
The week-long event will begin on Monday, March 15. New videos will be released daily throughout the week until the weekend when content will debut throughout the day on March 20 and 21. Speakers will present on a variety of topics related to the Battle of Bentonville and the Carolinas Campaign. Presenters will include Dr. Mark L. Bradley, Col. (Ret) Wade Sokolosky, Dr. Chris Fonvielle, and Eric Wittenberg. Along with presentations, viewers will enjoy virtual battlefield tours, demonstrations, and even children’s activities, ensuring that there will be something for all ages.
Videos will be premiered on Facebook and YouTube and will be available for viewing any time after their premier. Those wishing to virtually attend the event are encouraged to subscribe to the Bentonville Battlefield YouTube channel or follow Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site on Facebook.
The Battle of Bentonville, fought March 19-21, 1865, involved 80,000 troops and was the last Confederate offensive against Union Gen. William T. Sherman. Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site interprets the battle and the hospital, where many Confederates were left in the aftermath.
The site is open Tuesday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., and located at 5466 Harper House Road, Four Oaks, NC 27524. Masks and social distancing are required. It is three miles north of Newton Grove on S.R. 1008, about one hour from Raleigh and about 45 minutes from Fayetteville.
For more information, visit https://historicsites.nc.gov/all-sites/bentonville-battlefield or call (910) 594-0789.
Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site is part of the Division of State Historic Sites in the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.