Near Dunn in Cumberland County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Battle of Averasboro
Phase One – March 15, 16, 1865
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 18, 2006
1. Battle of Averasboro Phase One Marker
Inscription.
Battle of Averasboro. Phase One – March 15, 16, 1865. You are standing near the center of the first phase of fighting in the Battle of Averasboro, March 15-16, 1865., On March 15th the left wing of General Sherman’s Union army, commanded by General H.W. Slocum, was advancing along this road (A) from Fayetteville to Averasboro. General H.J. Kilpatrick’s cavalry division was in the lead, skirmishing with General Joseph Wheeler’s Confederate cavalry which contested the Union advance., At 3:00 P.M. the Union forces struck a heavy Confederate skirmish line (B). General Smith Atkins’ 9th Michigan cavalry (C) drove the skirmishers back into the first of three lines of breastworks erected across the road (E-1). The Union cavalry then constructed heavy barricades (D) in front of the Confederate works., At 6:00 P.M. Confederate General W.B. Taliaferro, whose division was holding position E-1, ordered an attack (F) along his line. The Union forces, though hard-pressed, were able to hold their position due to the arrival of reinforcements from the 14th Corps (G). Nightfall found the two armies in nearly the same positions they had held throughout the afternoon. General W.T. Sherman, Union commander, arrived on the field during the night., At 6:00 A.M. on March 16th, the Union forces (H) attacked Taliaferro’s line, driving the Confederates before them. Then the Southerners launched a desperate counter-attack (I). A disaster for the Union forces was averted when portions of the 20th Corps arrived upon the field (J). Three batteries of artillery (K) were placed in position near the John Smith house (L). These began firing upon the Confederates, driving them back into their breastworks., At 11:00 A.M. two newly-arrived Union brigades (M) engaged the Confederates in front, while the brigade of Colonel Henry Case (N) assaulted the Confederate right flank. This attack forced the Confederates to withdraw into their second line of works (E-2)., NOTE: For the remainder of the battle, drive two miles north on this road and read the map-marker on phase two of the battle.
You are standing near the center of the first phase of fighting in the Battle of Averasboro, March 15-16, 1865.
On March 15th the left wing of General Sherman’s Union army, commanded by General H.W. Slocum, was advancing along this road (A) from Fayetteville to Averasboro. General H.J. Kilpatrick’s cavalry division was in the lead, skirmishing with General Joseph Wheeler’s Confederate cavalry which contested the Union advance.
At 3:00 P.M. the Union forces struck a heavy Confederate skirmish line (B). General Smith Atkins’ 9th Michigan cavalry (C) drove the skirmishers back into the first of three lines of breastworks erected across the road (E-1). The Union cavalry then constructed heavy barricades (D) in front of the Confederate works.
At 6:00 P.M. Confederate General W.B. Taliaferro, whose division was holding position E-1, ordered an attack (F) along his line. The Union forces, though hard-pressed, were able to hold their position due to the arrival of reinforcements from the 14th Corps (G). Nightfall found the two armies in nearly the same positions they had held throughout the afternoon. General W.T. Sherman, Union commander, arrived on the field during the night.
At 6:00 A.M. on March 16th, the Union forces (H) attacked Taliaferro’s line, driving the Confederates before them. Then the Southerners launched
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a desperate counter-attack (I). A disaster for the Union forces was averted when portions of the 20th Corps arrived upon the field (J). Three batteries of artillery (K) were placed in position near the John Smith house (L). These began firing upon the Confederates, driving them back into their breastworks.
At 11:00 A.M. two newly-arrived Union brigades (M) engaged the Confederates in front, while the brigade of Colonel Henry Case (N) assaulted the Confederate right flank. This attack forced the Confederates to withdraw into their second line of works (E-2).
NOTE: For the remainder of the battle, drive two miles north on this road and read the map-marker on phase two of the battle.
Erected 1961 by Archives and Highway Departments. Confederate Centennial Commission.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Battlefield Trails - Civil War series list. A significant historical date for this entry is March 15, 1848.
Location. 35° 13.952′ N, 78° 40.67′ W. Marker is near Dunn, North Carolina, in Cumberland County. Marker is at the intersection of Burnett Road (State Highway 82) and Ross West Road, on the right when traveling south on Burnett Road. Marker is on Route 82, about 6 miles south of Dunn, NC. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Dunn NC 28334, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Now located next to the Smith house at 35 13 56.79N, 78 40 34.28W. Ross West Road in the background/house is to the right.
Photographed By Lee Hattabaugh, April 20, 2011
4. Battle of Averasboro Marker
Located next to the Smith house, future home of the Transportation Museum, owned & operated by the Averasboro Battlefield Commission, Inc.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 18, 2006
5. March 15 Battle Map
This battle map appears on the upper left portion of the Battle of Averasboro Phase 1 Marker.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 18, 2006
6. March 16 Battle Map
This battle map appears on the Lower right portion of the Battle of Averasboro Phase 1 Marker.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 18, 2006
7. "Oak Grove" - Site of the John Smith House
This is the location of the John Smith House, where Union batteries were set up on the morning of March 16, 1865, during the Battle of Averasboro.
Photographed By Robert Cole, June 11, 2010
8. Battle of Averasboro (Missing Marker)
According to an Averasboro Battlefield Museum employee, the marker and structure were taken down, both because it lay on private property and because they want to relocate it to the Confederate Hospital building ("Oak Grove") about one mile to the north, presently under restoration. The marker shown in the background of this photo identifies the house used as the Federal Hospital during the battle about 1/4 mile east.
Photographed By Robert Cole, June 11, 2010
9. Battle of Averasboro (Missing Marker)
Another view of the site where the Battle of Averasboro marker was located, prior to being removed. Museum officials assured that the marker will be restored completely at the Confederate Hospital location once construction is completed.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 26, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 29, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 2,651 times since then and 50 times this year. Last updated on April 26, 2011, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. Photos:1, 2. submitted on February 29, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 3, 4. submitted on April 26, 2011, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. 5, 6, 7. submitted on February 29, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 8, 9. submitted on June 13, 2010, by Cleo Robertson of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.