Info on the 160th Bentonville Reenactment

March 15-16, 2025 - "A Terrible Storm"

On March 15-16, 2025, thousands of living historians from across the country will descend on Bentonville Battlefield for the 160th Anniversary Reenactment of North Carolina’s largest battle. Over 2,000 reenactors are expected for the two-day event, which will make it one of the country’s largest reenactments in 2025. In addition to the daily battles, the event will feature free lectures,19th living-history displays, period music, and dozens of “sutlers,” selling Civil War-related items.

The Battle of Bentonville, fought March 19-21, 1865, involved 80,000 troops in one of the last major actions of the war. A patched-together Confederate army under the command of Gen. Joseph Johnston failed to halt Union Gen. William T. Sherman’s advance through eastern North Carolina, eventually leading to the largest Confederate surrender of the war at Bennett Place near Durham weeks later.

Visitors are strongly encouraged to purchase tickets well in advance of the event, with tickets available for in September 2024. Organizers also suggest arriving early and making a day of it at Bentonville. The battle scenarios on Saturday and Sunday are the only events that require tickets.

Visitors may inspect the soldier’s camps and enjoy other activities including lectures, displays, house tours, music, demonstrations, and more, free of charge. And, if hungry, visitors may purchase food from the Bentonville Fire Department concessions.

The 2025 event is sponsored by the Friends of Bentonville Battlefield, Inc., the Johnston County Visitors Bureau, and the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. All proceeds from the event support Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site with a portion of earnings earmarked towards a capital campaign for a new visitor center for the site.  

Bentonville Battlefield is located at 5466 Harper House Road, Four Oaks, NC 27524, three miles north of Newton Grove on S.R. 1008, about one hour from Raleigh and about 45 minutes from Fayetteville.  For more information, visit https://historicsites.nc.gov/all-sites/bentonville-battlefield or call (910) 594-0789.

Full Schedule of Events

MARCH 15

9:00-5:00        Site Open to the Public
Harper House, Medical, Civilian, Trades Displays and Community Displays Open
9:30am            Mark Smith— The Carolina's Campaign^
10:30am          Dr. Chris Fonvielle – “Glory at Wilmington:” USCTs and the Wilmington Campaign^
11:30am           Dean Harry – The Battle of Bentonville: Day 1^
12:00pm           Reenactment Battlefield Opens**
12:30pm          Carolyn Cole and Michelle Lanier – “Before it was a battlefield it was Home:” A Curated Conversation^
1:30pm            Dr. Angela Zombek – “Suspicious Characters and Captured Combatants: The Experiences of Prisoners of War”^
2:00pm            Cavalry Scenario: “Battle of Monroe’s Crossroads”**
3:00pm            Battle Scenario: “Last Grand Charge of the Army of Tennessee” & “Fight for the Morris Farm”**
5:00pm            Site Closes to the Public

MARCH 16

9:00-4:00         Site Open to the Public
Harper House, Medical, Civilian, Trades Displays and Community Displays Open
9:30am            Wade Sokolosky— North Carolina Military Hospitals During the  Civil War^
10:30am           Dean Harry— The Battle of Bentonville: Day 2&3^
11:30am           Nancy Chavis— The Lumbee Tribe during the Civil War^
11:30am           Reenactment Battlefield Opens**
12:30pm           Chris Meekins— The North Carolina Troop Roster Project^
1:30pm             Battle Scenario: “Mower’s Charge”**
4:00pm            Site Closes to the Public

*All Activities are subject to change without notice.
**Tickets are REQUIRED for the battle scenarios only. The battle will take place rain or shine. There will be no refunds.
^ Speaker presentations located in Speaker’s Tent. All presentations last approx. 45 minutes.

Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site is the site of North Carolina’s largest Civil War battle. Fought March 19-21, 1865, the Battle of Bentonville was the last significant attempt to stop Maj. Gen. W. T. Sherman’s march through the Carolina's and was one of the war’s last major battles. On March 19, 20,000 Confederates under Gen. J. E. Johnston failed to destroy an isolated portion of Sherman’s command. Intermittent fighting continued March 20 and 21, until the deployment of Sherman’s entire 60,000-man force prompted a Confederate retreat. The battle resulted in 4,133 casualties. The Historic Site includes more than 2,000 acres of the battlefield,6  miles of hiking trails, and a 10-mile driving tour.

Additional information is available at: historicsites.nc.gov/all-sites/bentonville-battlefield