Near Dunn in Harnett County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
"Lebanon"
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 18, 2006
1. Lebanon Marker
Erected 1961 by Division of Archive and History. (Marker Number H-97.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the North Carolina Division of Archives and History series list. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1800.
Location. 35° 16.23′ N, 78° 40.286′ W. Marker is near Dunn, North Carolina, in Harnett County. Marker is on State Highway 82, on the right. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Dunn NC 28335, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Averasboro Battlefield Museum (approx. ¼ mile away); North Carolina (approx. ¼ mile away); Battle of Averasboro (approx. ¼ mile away); Model 1841 6-pounder Gun (approx. 0.3 miles away); Union Headquarters (approx. 0.4 miles away); Chicora Cemetery (approx. half a mile away); Men of South Carolina (approx. half a mile away); a different marker also named Battle of Averasboro (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dunn.
Regarding "Lebanon". On March 15th the left wing of General Sherman’s Union army, commanded by General H. W. Slocum,
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At 3:00 P.M. the Union forces struck a heavy Confederate skirmish line. General Smith Atkins’ 9th Michigan cavalry drove the skirmishers back into the first of three lines of breastworks erected across the road. The Union cavalry then constructed heavy barricades in front of the Confederate works. Nearly three hours after the initial Union attack began, Confederate General W. B. Taliaferro, whose division was holding position, ordered an attack 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. 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 attacked Taliaferro’s line, driving the Confederates before them. Then the Southerners launched a desperate counter-attack. A disaster for the Union forces was averted when portions of the 20th Corps arrived upon the field. Three batteries of artillery were placed in the position near the John Smith house. They began firing upon the Confederates,
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 18, 2006
2. Marker on the Averasboro Battlefield
The marker is located on the Averasboro Battlefield, north of the museum.
Within five hours two newly-arrived Union brigades engaged the Confederates in front, while the brigade of Colonel Henry Case assaulted the Confederate right flank. The attack forced the Confederates to withdraw into their second line of works.
Union General H. J. Kilpatrick’s cavalry found a back road and circled to the rear of the Confederate position. The Union cavalry attempted to use the road to flank the Confederates, but was stopped by Colonel G. P. Harrison’s brigade of McLaws’ division after moving only a short distance.
General Taliaferro decided to abandon the Confederate second position after finding his men in danger of being flanked. At 1:00 P.M. he withdrew to the third and final line of earthworks, where he was assisted by McLaws' division on his left and Wheeler’s dismounted cavalry on his right. Rhett’s disorganized brigade was held in general reserve behind the junction of this road and the Smithfield road.
The Union forces soon advanced and established a strong line immediately in front of the Confederate third line. From the new position they pressed the Confederates all afternoon and part of the evening, but were unable to break the line. At 8:00 P.M. General W. J. Hardee, commanding the Confederate forces at Averasboro, having accomplished his objectives, began withdrawing his
Photographed By Lee Hattabaugh, April 20, 2011
3. Lebanon Marker
Looking north on NC-82.
General Hardee wished to accomplish two things by contesting the Union advance at Averasboro. The first objective was to determine for General Joseph E. Johnston, commander of all Confederate forces in the Carolinas, whether Sherman’s army was advancing on Raleigh or Goldsboro. The Confederates learned it was moving on Goldsboro. The second objective was to stretch out the distance between Sherman’s left and right wings (which were moving on parallel roads) in order to give General Johnston a chance to concentrate his smaller army and destroy the Union left wing before the right wing could come to its assistance. Both of these objectives were fully accomplished. The stage was now set for the greater Battle of Bentonville fought 25 miles east on March 19-21, 1865.
References:
1. Mark L. Bradley, Last Stand in the Carolinas: The Battle of Bentonville (1996)
2. Mark A. Moore, Moore’s Historical Guide to the Battle of Bentonville (1997)
Photographed By Lee Hattabaugh, April 20, 2011
4. Lebanon Marker
Looking south along NC-82.
3. John G. Barrett, Sherman’s March Through the Carolinas (1956)
4. Wilson Angley, Jerry L. Cross, and Michael Hill, Sherman’s March through North Carolina: A Chronology (1995)
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 18, 2006
5. Lebanon
This house, built in 1825, was the first Harnett County property named to the National Register of Historic Places. The photo was taken from the road, just north of the marker.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 18, 2006
6. Lebanon
During the Battle of Averasboro on March 15-16, 1865, the Union army under Gen. William T. Sherman pursued Confederates under Gen. William J. Hardee past this plantation house. Lebanon was also used as a hospital during and after the battle.
Photographed By Lee Hattabaugh, April 20, 2011
7. Civil War Era Cabin
Now located in Chicora Cemetery south of the Lebanon marker. Sign says "Built circa 1824. Used as Slave Housing. Relocated from Lebanon Plantation in 1961 and Restored."
Credits. This page was last revised on June 21, 2021. It was originally submitted on December 27, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,825 times since then and 64 times this year. Last updated on December 13, 2020, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 27, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 3, 4. submitted on April 26, 2011, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. 5, 6. submitted on December 27, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 7. submitted on April 26, 2011, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
