Civil War

Gallery

The Flags of Bentonville

View images of Civil War battle flags associated with units that fought at the Battle of Bentonville in 1865.

(18 photos in gallery)

Introduction

All of the flags in this gallery were carried by units that fought at the Battle of Bentonville (March 19-21, 1865). Many of these flags were present at the battle.

The 9th Pennsylvania Cavalry

By Permission: Pennsylvania Capitol Preservation Committee

The 9th Pennsylvania Cavalry was part of Kilpatrick’s 3rd Cavalry Division. This unit was active at the Battle of Averasboro (March 16th, 1865), the prelude to the Battle of Bentonville. At Bentonville, the 9th helped to secure the Union left flank on the 19th.

The 21st Ohio Veteran Volunteers

By Permission: Ohio Historical Society

The 21st Ohio, part of Carlin’s division, was attacked on the first day of the Battle of Bentonville after stumbling into a much larger than expected Confederate force.

The 40th North Carolina

By Permission: North Carolina Museum of History

The 40th fought a bitter hand-to-hand fight with the 60th Illinois and 14th Michigan at the “Bull Pen.” These colors were reportedly captured by Corporal George Clute of the 14th Michigan on the first day of the battle.

The 79th Pennsylvania Volunteers

By Permission: Pennsylvania Capitol Preservation Committee

As part of Miles’ Third Brigade of Carlin’s Division, the 79th took part in the initial Union forays on the first day of the battle and was later attacked by Hoke’s Division.

The 21st and 25th South Carolina

By Permission: The Museum of the Confederacy

The 21st and 25th South Carolina, part of Hagood’s Brigade took part in the Confederate assaults on the 19th of March. During the fighting on the 3rd day, this brigade sought to fend off the growing Union assaults by the XV Corps and then was hastily moved to shore up the Confederate positions around Johnston’s headquarters on March 21st.

The 1st and 3rd Florida

By Permission: The Museum of the Confederacy

The 1st and 3rd Florida, part of Finley’s Brigade, helped stop Carlin’s Union division probe on the morning of the 19th. After helping to rout Carlin’s division, the 1st and 3rd took part in the Confederate assault on the Morris Farm – the “high tide” for the Confederates at Bentonville.

The 33rd Ohio Veteran Volunteers

By Permission: Ohio Historical Society

The 33rd suffered heavy casualties on the first day of the battle as it took the brunt of the "Last Charge of the Army of Tennessee". This unit fought on land preserved by the CWPT.

The 1st New York Artillery (Light), Battery I

By Permission: New York State Military Museum

Battery I, under Captain Winegar, played an important part in helping to repulse Bate’s assaults at the Morris Farm on the first day. Winegar’s artillery was located near the Goldsboro Pike and on land preserved by the CWPT.

The 40th Alabama

By Permission: Alabama Department of History & Archives

During intense fighting around Johnston's HQ on the third day, the 40th watched as three different color bearers were shot down and another, Hilliard O'Neal, removed the flag from its staff and wrapped it around his body.

The 1st New York Artillery (Light), Battery M

By Permission: New York State Military Museum

Captain Newkirk’s Battery M helped to devastate Rhett’s South Carolina Brigade with a continuous fusillade of canister and case shot. Newkirk's and the other Union batteries at the Morris Farm helped to plug an important hole in the Union line on the first day.

The 136th New York Volunteers

By Permission: New York State Military Museum

The 136th was part of Cogswell’s Brigade that rushed to support the sagging Union units in the “Bull Pen” – part of the first day’s battles.

The 3rd Florida

By Permission: The Museum of the Confederacy

The 3rd Florida, Company “C” (The Wildcats), part of Finley’s Brigade in Bate’s Division took part in the assault on the Union left during the “Last Grand Assault of the Army of Tennessee.” This assault smashed Carlin’s Division on the Union left.

The 66th Illinois Volunteers

By Permission: Illinois State Military Museum, Dept. of Military Affairs

The 66th under Adams’ Second Brigade of Corse’s Division engaged in extensive skirmishing with the Confederate left on the third day of the battle.

The 103rd Illinois Volunteers

By Permission: Illinois State Military Museum, Dept. of Military Affairs

The 103rd Illinois Volunteers in Catterson’s Second Brigade of Corse’s Division engaged in sharp skirmishing with the Confederate lines on the 3rd day of the Battle of Bentonville.

The 15th South Carolina

By Permission: The Museum of the Confederacy

The 15th was part of Kennedy’s Brigade in McLaw’s Division. This unit fought tenaciously against Cogswell’s Brigade until after dark on the first day. The 15th’s assault passed over land preserved by the CWPT.

The 64th Illinois Volunteers

By Permission: Illinois State Military Museum, Dept. of Military Affairs

Taking part in “Mower’s Charge,” the 64th penetrated all the way to the village of Bentonville and stormed through Johnston’s headquarters on the 3rd day. Exposed to repeated counterattacks, the 64th was forced to retreat with the rest of Mower’s forces.

The 8th Texas Cavalry

Property of the Texas Confederate Museum Collection of the United Daughters of the Confederacy

Terry’s Texas Rangers joined Lt. Gen. William Hardee’s vigorous counterattack against Maj. Gen. Joe Mower’s Union assault on the 3rd day at Bentonville. Hardee personally led the 8th Texas into battle, amidst a driving rain storm, helping to drive back the advancing Federals and ensuring the survival of Johnston’s Confederate army. The 8th’s charge passed over land preserved by the CWPT in 2006 and 2007.