Louisburg in Franklin County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Camp Site for Sherman's Army

Louisburg at the End of the War

By Don Morfe, August 22, 2014

1. Camp Site for Sherman's Army Marker

Inscription.

Camp Site for Sherman's Army. Louisburg at the End of the War. On May 1, 1865, five days after Confederate Gen. Joseph E. Johnston surrendered to Union Gen. William T. Sherman near Durham Station, approximately 12,000 to 15,000 troops of Sherman’s Army of the Tennessee camped in Louisburg en route to Washington, D.C. Commanded by Gens. John A. Logan and Oliver O. Howard, their tents filled the groves of Louisburg Female College (1857), where you are standing and of Louisburg Male Academy (1805) across Main Street, to your left. The college was housed in the four-story structure to your right, known today as Main Building. The male academy building was later moved to a site northeast of the performing arts center, where it remains. . . The troops stored so much corn in the academy that the floor collapsed. Some local residents hid in their homes, but former slaves expressed jubilation. A band played stirring “national airs.” Anna Fuller, who lived on Main Street, kept a detailed diary during the encampment. “I am bewildered, and my heart is sick,” she wrote on May 1. “The town is full of Yankee Soldiers riding and walking up and down every street, and coming into our yards and kitchens. …The reality is upon us, that we are a subjugated people.” . . Most of the soldiers passed quickly through town, but on May 3, a regiment arrived to maintain order and to ensure that slaves had been freed. The troops finally departed on July 27, having caused little disruption. . . (captions) . (lower left) On April 15, the day President Abraham Lincoln died, Louisburg mayor William H. Pleasants, concerned that order would break down, wrote this letter requesting a Union guard for the town. Jones Fuller and Dr. Ellis Malone traveled to Raleigh and gave it to Union Gen. William T. Sherman. Provost guards were posted in Louisburg later in the month. Courtesy National Archives and Records Administration . . (center) Gen. John A. Logan's XV Corps left Raleigh on April 29, crossed the Neuse River at Rogers's Bridge, and passed through Louisburg en route to Washington, D.C. Military Map of South-Western Virginia & North Carolina (1865) - Wilson Library, University of North Carolina . . (lower right) Union Gens. Oliver O. Howard (standing, left) an John A. Logan (seated, left) with Sherman (seated, center) and other Union officers. Courtesy of Library of Congress . This historical marker was erected by North Carolina Civil War Trails. It is in Louisburg in Franklin County North Carolina

On May 1, 1865, five days after Confederate Gen. Joseph E. Johnston surrendered to Union Gen. William T. Sherman near Durham Station, approximately 12,000 to 15,000 troops of Sherman’s Army of the Tennessee camped in Louisburg en route to Washington, D.C. Commanded by Gens. John A. Logan and Oliver O. Howard, their tents filled the groves of Louisburg Female College (1857), where you are standing and of Louisburg Male Academy (1805) across Main Street, to your left. The college was housed in the four-story structure to your right, known today as Main Building. The male academy building was later moved to a site northeast of the performing arts center, where it remains.

The troops stored so much corn in the academy that the floor collapsed. Some local residents hid in their homes, but former slaves expressed jubilation. A band played stirring “national airs.” Anna Fuller, who lived on Main Street, kept a detailed diary during the encampment. “I am bewildered, and my heart is sick,” she wrote on May 1. “The town is full of Yankee Soldiers riding and walking up and down every street, and coming into our yards

Close up of the map image. Click for full size.

By Don Morfe, August 22, 2014

2. Close up of the map

(Inscription below the map) Gen. John A. Logan’s XV Corps left Raleigh on April 29, crossed the Neuse River at Rogers’s Bridge, and passed through Louisburg en route to Washington, D.C. Military Map of South-Western Virginia and North Carolina (1865)-Wilson Library, University of North Carolina.

and kitchens. …The reality is upon us, that we are a subjugated people.”

Most of the soldiers passed quickly through town, but on May 3, a regiment arrived to maintain order and to ensure that slaves had been freed. The troops finally departed on July 27, having caused little disruption.

(captions)
(lower left) On April 15, the day President Abraham Lincoln died, Louisburg mayor William H. Pleasants, concerned that order would break down, wrote this letter requesting a Union guard for the town. Jones Fuller and Dr. Ellis Malone traveled to Raleigh and gave it to Union Gen. William T. Sherman. Provost guards were posted in Louisburg later in the month. Courtesy National Archives and Records Administration

(center) Gen. John A. Logan's XV Corps left Raleigh on April 29, crossed the Neuse River at Rogers's Bridge, and passed through Louisburg en route to Washington, D.C. Military Map of South-Western Virginia & North Carolina (1865) - Wilson Library, University of North Carolina

(lower right) Union Gens. Oliver O. Howard (standing, left) an John A. Logan (seated, left) with Sherman (seated, center) and other Union officers. Courtesy of Library of Congress

Erected by North Carolina Civil War Trails.

Topics and series. This historical marker

By Don Morfe, August 22, 2014

3. Camp Site for Sherman's Army Marker

is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the North Carolina Civil War Trails series list.

Location. 36° 6.264′ N, 78° 17.862′ W. Marker is in Louisburg, North Carolina, in Franklin County. Marker can be reached from North Main Street (County Route 1229) north of College Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 501 North Main Street, Louisburg NC 27549, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 12 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Louisburg College (within shouting distance of this marker); Franklin's Confederate Soldiers Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Franklin Male Academy Building (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); Richard Warfington (approx. 0.6 miles away); John Williamson (approx. 0.9 miles away); Moses A. Hopkins (approx. 9 miles away); Confederate Cemetery (approx. 11½ miles away); The Glass House (approx. 11.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Louisburg.

By Don Morfe, August 22, 2014

4. Camp Site for Sherman's Army Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on October 11, 2014, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 528 times since then and 149 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 11, 2014, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.