The sound of cannonfire during the Battle of Bentonville, it was said, boomed with a distinct echo.
“The din of battle roared like one continuous peel of heavy thunder,” wrote one eyewitness.
On Saturday, June 22, Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site will recreate some of that noise during its “Heavy Thunder: Summer Artillery and Infantry Program.”
Costumed interpreters will demonstrate how artillery and infantry units functioned during battles like Bentonville along with other exhibits and displays showing the medical and civilian response to the bloodshed and terrible noise. Demonstrations will take place at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m., with additional activities scheduled to occur throughout the day.
The Harper House, which served as a field hospital for the XIV Corps of the U.S. Army, will also be open for tours. At noon, an interpretive talk will discuss the memory and preservation of the site.
Food vendors will be on site. The event runs from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and is free to attend.
The Battle of Bentonville, fought March 19-21, 1865, was the largest battle fought in North Carolina and one of the last major battles in the Civil War.
About Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site
Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site interprets the battle and the Harper House, a farmhouse used as a field hospital where surgeons treated nearly 600 men wounded in the battle. The site is located at 5466 Harper House Road, Four Oaks, NC 27524, 3 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.
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina – its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. Through its programs, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency.