Bentonville Battleground State Historic Site
Also known as: See Also:Harper House
Why it's listed
Bentonville Battleground State Historic Site in Johnston County, North Carolina, protects 51 acres of open fields and woods from a much larger Civil War battlefield. Many original trenches, breastworks and pits survive in good condition, including long stretches of the main Confederate line and the entrenchments of Generals Carlin and Mower. The grounds also hold a Confederate cemetery with a common grave for over three hundred soldiers, marked by a marble monument erected in 1893, a modern visitor center, and the early nineteenth century Harper House, which served as a hospital for both Union and Confederate soldiers. The battle, fought March 19-21, 1865, ranged over more than 6,000 acres and involved about 80,000 men, the most of any North Carolina battle. General Joseph E. Johnston attacked part of Sherman's army, but the Confederates withdrew once reinforcements arrived. It was the last full-scale action in which the Confederates chose the ground and attacked first.
Significance in brief: The Battle of Bentonville (March 19-21, 1865) covered over 6,000 acres and involved about 80,000 men, more than any other battle in North Carolina. It was the last full-scale Civil War action in which the Confederate army chose the ground and made the first attack. It was also the only significant Confederate attempt to stop Sherman after Atlanta.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 70000460, listed February 26, 1970. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | S of Princeton, off U.S. 701 and SR 1008, Princeton |
|---|---|
| County | Johnston County |
| Listed | February 26, 1970 |
| Reference number | 70000460 |
| Resource type | Site |
| Period of significance | 19th Century (battle of March 19-21, 1865) |
| Areas of significance | Military |
| Level of significance | National, State |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated June 19, 1996 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition listed as good; original trenches, breastworks and pits are remarkably well preserved. The Harper House and outbuildings have been or are being restored. The site is state-owned and open to the public as a state historic site. |
| Acreage | 51 |
| Coordinates | 35.30669, -78.32362 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
Sites (archaeological sites, battlefields, landscapes) are often listed with a restricted address to protect them from looting or disturbance. Listing is honorary for private owners; federal undertakings on or near the site go through Section 106 review, and state laws may protect burials and artefacts regardless of listing.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 70000460.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4890653
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.