Smithfield in Johnston County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Occupation of Smithfield

"Cheering … rolled along the lines"

— Carolinas Campaign —

Occupation of Smithfield Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 15, 2026

1. Occupation of Smithfield Marker

Inscription.

Occupation of Smithfield. "Cheering … rolled along the lines". , You are standing at the third Johnston County Courthouse to occupy this site, replacing the one located here during the war. On April 11, 1865, fighting swirled around you through the streets of Smithfield. The Confederate defenders burned the Neuse River bridge at Bridge Street as they withdrew. Elements of the Federal 75th Indiana Infantry were the first to occupy the town. When Union Gen. William t. Sherman arrived the same day, he immediately established his headquarters here in the courthouse. At about 5 A.M. the next morning, he received word that three days earlier Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee had surrendered his army at Appomattox Court House, Virginia. Sherman stood on the courthouse steps and shouted the news to his men as they marched by. Maj. Henry Hitchcock, of Sherman's staff, watched as "brigade after brigade came along our HdQrs and were told the news. … Imagine the billows of tumultuous cheering which rolled along the lines. … Meanwhile, band after band … made the little old town echo with music as beautiful as it was patriotic. The Union army occupied Smithfield for two days before advancing on Raleigh.,

"At the court house I noticed the shelves, in the offices, are emptied of their contents on the floor. The archives of Johnson [sic] county lie in confusion amongst the dirt. … The churches are open and the books scattered about the pews. At the graveyard I noticed the graves of a number of rebels, bearing ominous dates, about the time of the Bentonville fight." , , Chaplain John J. Hight, 58th Indiana Infantry

, In October 1865, members of the New England Freedmen's Aid Society of Boston, Jane Hamilton, Sarah Phelps and Clara Woodbury, opened the first school for Black children in Smithfield about two blocks west of here. Suspected arsonists burned down the building, adjoining teachers' dwellings, and a store on April 22, but African Americans opened their homes for classes the next day and later built another school and church. The Freedmen's Bureau replaced it in 1868-69 with the two-room building that stands at 308 N. 4th St.

You are standing at the third Johnston County Courthouse to occupy this site, replacing the one located here during the war. On April 11, 1865, fighting swirled around you through the streets of Smithfield. The Confederate defenders burned the Neuse River bridge at Bridge Street as they withdrew. Elements of the Federal 75th Indiana Infantry were the first to occupy the town. When Union Gen. William t. Sherman arrived the same day, he immediately established his headquarters here in the courthouse. At about 5 A.M. the next morning, he received word that three days earlier Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee had surrendered his army at Appomattox Court House, Virginia. Sherman stood on the courthouse steps and shouted the news to his men as they marched by. Maj. Henry Hitchcock, of Sherman's staff, watched as "brigade after brigade came along our HdQrs and were told the news. … Imagine the billows of tumultuous cheering which rolled along the lines. … Meanwhile, band after band … made the little old town echo with music as beautiful as it was patriotic. The Union army occupied Smithfield for two days before advancing on Raleigh.

"At
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the court house I noticed the shelves, in the offices, are emptied of their contents on the floor. The archives of Johnson [sic] county lie in confusion amongst the dirt. … The churches are open and the books scattered about the pews. At the graveyard I noticed the graves of a number of rebels, bearing ominous dates—about the time of the Bentonville fight."
—Chaplain John J. Hight, 58th Indiana Infantry

In October 1865, members of the New England Freedmen's Aid Society of Boston—Jane Hamilton, Sarah Phelps and Clara Woodbury—opened the first school for Black children in Smithfield about two blocks west of here. Suspected arsonists burned down the building, adjoining teachers' dwellings, and a store on April 22, but African Americans opened their homes for classes the next day and later built another school and church. The Freedmen's Bureau replaced it in 1868-69 with the two-room building that stands at 308 N. 4th St.

Erected by North Carolina Civil War Trails.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Bridges & Viaducts • Education • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the North Carolina Civil War Trails series list. A significant historical date for this entry is April 11, 1865.

Location. 35° 30.7′ N, 78° 20.843′ W. Marker is in Smithfield, North Carolina, in Johnston County. It is at the intersection of East Market Street (Business U.S. 70) and South 2nd Street, on the right when traveling east on East Market Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 207 E Market St, Smithfield NC 27577, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s Piedmont.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 15, 2026

2. Occupation of Smithfield Marker

of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Honor Roll (here, next to this marker); Johnston County Fountain Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); World War II and Korean Conflict Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Johnston County War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Sherman Receives News of Lee's Surrender in Smithfield (within shouting distance of this marker); Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Downtown Smithfield Historic District (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Smithfield Four (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Smithfield.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Occupation of Smithfield (has been replaced with this marker).

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has replaced the linked marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 16, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 16, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 92 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 16, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.