Bentonville?

[davepi2]

Hello to all, I am visiting Bentonville, Bennett Place, Raleigh and Hillsborough next week while on a Civil War and Revolutionary War battlefield tour. The driving tour of Bentonville is obviously a must see, how about the walking trails. At my age I don't think the entire thing would be possible as well as not being sure if it is worth it. Besides the driving tour and what is around the visitors center are there any can't miss spots on the battlefield? I have 4 hours planned for the battlefield in the morning and hope to catch the state capital building and Mordeci Historic Park in Raleigh during the afternoon. It doesn't look like in Raleigh itself there is anything Civil War related other than a couple of markers. Any suggestions on the battlefield at Bentonville or anything else in the Raleigh area would be appreciated. As I mentioned I also will be at Bennett Place and Hillsborough as part of the Civil War portion of the trip.

 

[CoB47thNC]

Keep an eye on the weather here. We are experiencing a rainy period lately. The State Museum of History might be interesting. Just a short drive from Mordecai is Oakwood Cemetery. It has a Confederate section. Hillsvorough? I'm not aware of much Civil War interest there.

 

[SJU]

Hello to all, I am visiting Bentonville, Bennett Place, Raleigh and Hillsborough next week while on a Civil War and Revolutionary War battlefield tour. The driving tour of Bentonville is obviously a must see, how about the walking trails. At my age I don't think the entire thing would be possible as well as not being sure if it is worth it. Besides the driving tour and what is around the visitors center are there any can't miss spots on the battlefield? I have 4 hours planned for the battlefield in the morning and hope to catch the state capital building and Mordeci Historic Park in Raleigh during the afternoon. It doesn't look like in Raleigh itself there is anything Civil War related other than a couple of markers. Any suggestions on the battlefield at Bentonville or anything else in the Raleigh area would be appreciated. As I mentioned I also will be at Bennett Place and Hillsborough as part of the Civil War portion of the trip.

Averasboro isn't far from Bentonville. It's a small easily accessible battlefield and definitely worth the detour.

 

[Gary Morgan]

Don't do Bentonville on a Sunday - the small museum there was closed on Sundays when I went.

 

[JeffBrooks]

I visited Bennett Place this summer and greatly enjoyed it. The museum was well-done and the gift shop is nice. The reconstructed farm houses give that good old historical vibe. You can almost imagine Sherman, Johnston, and Breckinridge sitting down together at the table. There are a few nature trails, but they are not historically marked or anything. The Unity Monument is lovely, although I was somewhat disappointed by one aspect of it - I had read that it is arrayed on a perfect north-south axis and, using a compass, I discovered that it is off by a few degrees.

Honestly, you could see about everything there is to see in a little more than an hour (unless you are the kind of person who simply likes to sit quietly and commune with history). I stayed longer because my daughter insisted on watching the museum movie, which turned out to be surprisingly good. But we had to get to our campsite on the Outer Banks and were on a deadline.

 

[JeffBrooks]

I would also recommend Guildford Courthouse National Battlefield, in Greensboro. Yes, Revolutionary War rather than Civil War, but a very well done battlefield with an excellent museum and wonderful staff.

And there is a Civil War connection of sorts. "Lighthorse Harry" Lee was involved in the battle.

 

[A. Roy]

Hello to all, I am visiting Bentonville, Bennett Place, Raleigh and Hillsborough next week while on a Civil War and Revolutionary War battlefield tour. The driving tour of Bentonville is obviously a must see, how about the walking trails. At my age I don't think the entire thing would be possible as well as not being sure if it is worth it. Besides the driving tour and what is around the visitors center are there any can't miss spots on the battlefield? I have 4 hours planned for the battlefield in the morning and hope to catch the state capital building and Mordeci Historic Park in Raleigh during the afternoon. It doesn't look like in Raleigh itself there is anything Civil War related other than a couple of markers. Any suggestions on the battlefield at Bentonville or anything else in the Raleigh area would be appreciated. As I mentioned I also will be at Bennett Place and Hillsborough as part of the Civil War portion of the trip.

In Raleigh, there are remnants of the 1863 earthworks, an eight-mile rough circle studded with 18 artillery batteries. I've done tours around the city. The original map can be seen here:

https://raleighswall.com/2019/10/16...igh-nc-and-civil-war-entrenchments-guion-map/

And here is a link to the Google Maps version, in case you want to follow the earthworks on today's landscape (you can use a GPS-enable smartphone for that):

https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1A8bocYgOC2qBtEXOVzEdUYVfPKF09D0m&usp=sharing

I'm busy with family for the next couple of days, but there might be some possibility of looking at some of this with you.

ARB

 

[Bur Oak]

The Unity Monument is lovely, although I was somewhat disappointed by one aspect of it - I had read that it is arrayed on a perfect north-south axis and, using a compass, I discovered that it is off by a few degrees.

Magnetic north and true north rarely exactly agree. In North Carolina, the difference is several degrees.
At Raleigh, the difference is 9° 23'. Where I live, a bit closer to the middle of the continent, it's closer, but still off by roughly 5°.

 

[davepi2]

Keep an eye on the weather here. We are experiencing a rainy period lately. The State Museum of History might be interesting. Just a short drive from Mordecai is Oakwood Cemetery. It has a Confederate section. Hillsvorough? I'm not aware of much Civil War interest there.

Thanks, I admit most of Hillsborough would have to do either with the Regulators or Revolution but the Alexander Dixon House where that Johnston & Hampton used as headquarters during the surrender negotiations as well as the actual site (a marker only) is something to see. Add in the Court House and the hanging site along with maybe Occoneechee Speedway and that will be quite a bit I think for Hillsborough. The museum of History I'm not sure I will have time for. I figure on being back from Raleigh about 130 at the earliest. Hockey game that evening my son and I are going to so time is a problem.

 

[davepi2]

Averasboro isn't far from Bentonville. It's a small easily accessible battlefield and definitely worth the detour.

I have considered Averasboro but the time required might not allow it even if I eliminate anything in downtown Raleigh.

 

[davepi2]

Don't do Bentonville on a Sunday - the small museum there was closed on Sundays when I went.

Thursday 2/8/24 is my scheduled day at Bentonville.

 

[davepi2]

I visited Bennett Place this summer and greatly enjoyed it. The museum was well-done and the gift shop is nice. The reconstructed farm houses give that good old historical vibe. You can almost imagine Sherman, Johnston, and Breckinridge sitting down together at the table. There are a few nature trails, but they are not historically marked or anything. The Unity Monument is lovely, although I was somewhat disappointed by one aspect of it - I had read that it is arrayed on a perfect north-south axis and, using a compass, I discovered that it is off by a few degrees.

Honestly, you could see about everything there is to see in a little more than an hour (unless you are the kind of person who simply likes to sit quietly and commune with history). I stayed longer because my daughter insisted on watching the museum movie, which turned out to be surprisingly good. But we had to get to our campsite on the Outer Banks and were on a deadline.

Thanks for the tip on time at Bennett. After Bennett I had stops planned for Pyle's Defeat and Clapp's Mill (revolution) and Alamance (regulators). There should be sometime left over after that. The Burlington Depot is one place that would be nice but if the time permits I would prefer Salisbury because of Trading Ford and the Confederate prison. Would also like to see the Confederate statue that caused a lot of controversy but thankfully is still in town. Salisbury also puts me one hour closer to Charlotte where I am staying the night.

 

[davepi2]

I would also recommend Guildford Courthouse National Battlefield, in Greensboro. Yes, Revolutionary War rather than Civil War, but a very well done battlefield with an excellent museum and wonderful staff.

And there is a Civil War connection of sorts. "Lighthorse Harry" Lee was involved in the battle.

This trip is more Revolutionary war related than Civil War actually. Guilford Courthouse is the first place I will visit after a stop at New Garden. On the fourth day I also plan on Cowpens and Kings Mountain. A few skirmish sites (such as The Battle of the Bees) also.

 

[davepi2]

In Raleigh, there are remnants of the 1863 earthworks, an eight-mile rough circle studded with 18 artillery batteries. I've done tours around the city. The original map can be seen here:

https://raleighswall.com/2019/10/16...igh-nc-and-civil-war-entrenchments-guion-map/

And here is a link to the Google Maps version, in case you want to follow the earthworks on today's landscape (you can use a GPS-enable smartphone for that):

https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1A8bocYgOC2qBtEXOVzEdUYVfPKF09D0m&usp=sharing

I'm busy with family for the next couple of days, but there might be some possibility of looking at some of this with you.

ARB

Thank you very much, may have to adjust the schedule here.

 

[Gary Morgan]

The Burlington Depot is one place that would be nice but if the time permits I would prefer Salisbury because of Trading Ford and the Confederate prison. Would also like to see the Confederate statue that caused a lot of controversy but thankfully is still in town. Salisbury also puts me one hour closer to Charlotte where I am staying the night.

If you're doing Salisbury, I'd recommend going to both the Old Lutheran Cemetery (where the guards are buried and the Fame Statue is), the National Cemetery (where the prisoners are buried, mostly in trench graves) and the Rowan County Public Library's Special collections room, where they have quite a bit of prison memorabilia, including original diaries. If you were staying there longer, I'd put you in touch with Ed and Sue Curtis of the Salisbury Confederate Prison Association, a sweet older couple who are the undisputed experts on all things related to Salisbury Prison.

 

[nc native]

Not too far as far as driving distance from Bentonville is the Averasboro battlefield where the Battle of Averasboro was fought on March 16, 1865. It is referred to as a prelude to the Battle of Bentonville and there was quite a bit of cavalry fighting on this site. Casualties were about 700 for the Union forces and around 500 for the Confederacy. This side trip might be worth your while if you have the time when you are visiting Bentonville. There are battlefield markers and a museum on the site.

 

[A. Roy]

Thank you very much, may have to adjust the schedule here.

Send a private message if you want me to meet up with you. Happy to give private tours to CWT members. It would partly depend on schedule.
ARB

 

[dgfred]

Kinston has some stuff. Goldsboro Bridge was a battle but not much left to see.

 

[VeronicaLake12]

This trip is more Revolutionary war related than Civil War actually. Guilford Courthouse is the first place I will visit after a stop at New Garden. On the fourth day I also plan on Cowpens and Kings Mountain. A few skirmish sites (such as The Battle of the Bees) also.

Cowpens and Kings Mountain! Two great AR sites to visit. I live an hour away from Kings Mountain and visit as often as possible. Enjoy!

 

[davepi2]

Cowpens and Kings Mountain! Two great AR sites to visit. I live an hour away from Kings Mountain and visit as often as possible. Enjoy!

Have it on my list, I'm just afraid of the climb up the hill. Read conflicting reports on how tough it is and I'm 69.