Sherman and NC

[diddyriddick]

This is probably a reach, but here I go....

Since moving, I now live in Richmond County, NC. I know Sherman came through here shortly after crossing into NC. Problem is, I don't know much more. Has anybody seen any more detail about Sherman in the town of Rockingham/county of Richmond in NC? I've not been able to find anything at all.

 

[ole]

Barrett, "Sherman's March through the Carolinas."

March 7. Apparently there were two skirmishes going on (most likely on different sides of town. Wheeler took 20 scouts almost to Rockingham where he attacked and killed or captured thirty-five of the Federals, most of whom were foragers from Sherman's Fourteenth and Twentieth Corps. (OR, XLVII, Pt. I, Ser. I, 1120, 690)

Another skirmish was goin on in Rockingham at this time between foragers and a brigade of Butler's cavalry which had been ordered to remain in the town to act as Hardee's rear guard. When Kilpatrick's advance guard appeared on the scene, the fighting developed into a considerable skirmish, but by 11:00 A.M. the Confederates had been driven out of town.

The crude map indicates that only cavalry went through town.

Ole

 

[larry_cockerham]

I believe Sherman's forces were considerably separated about the time Rockingham would have come into play. The next clash was at Averasboro in the buildup to Bentonville. The AOT caught the train in Charlotte and went around the Carolina crescent through Spencer, Salisbury, Greensboro, Durham and down to Raleigh before moving east through Smithfield looking for Sherman. They found him. Most of the AOT were on the train, so not much chance for conflict during that brief period.