Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston surrendered to Union General William T. Sherman at Bennett Place, North Carolina, effectively ending Confederate resistance in the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. This surrender of 89,270 soldiers marked the largest Confederate capitulation of the Civil War.
The surrender of Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston to Union General William T. Sherman marked one of the most significant moments in the American Civil War's conclusion. This pivotal event occurred in the wake of General Robert E. Lee's surrender at Appomattox Court House and helped bring the devastating conflict to a close.
On April 26, 1865, at Bennett Place near Durham Station, North Carolina, Johnston formally surrendered the Army of Tennessee and all remaining Confederate forces under his command. This surrender was notably larger than Lee's, as it effectively ended Confederate resistance in the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. The negotiations between Johnston and Sherman demonstrated a spirit of reconciliation that would become crucial for the nation's healing process.
The Final Days of the Civil War in April 1865
#The Confederate army faced mounting losses in April 1865 as Union forces advanced across multiple fronts. On April 2, Confederate forces evacuated Richmond, Virginia, the Confederate capital, marking a decisive turning point in the war.
Robert E. Lee surrendered the Army of Northern Virginia to Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865. This surrender triggered a cascade of Confederate capitulations across the South.
General Joseph E. Johnston's army in North Carolina remained one of the last major Confederate forces in the field. Following Lee's surrender, Johnston initiated peace negotiations with General William T. Sherman on April 17, 1865, at Bennett Place near Durham Station.
Key Events in April 1865:
- April 2: Fall of Richmond
- April 9: Lee's surrender at Appomattox
- April 14: Lincoln's assassination at Ford's Theatre
- April 17: First Johnston-Sherman meeting
- April 26: Johnston's surrender at Bennett Place
The initial surrender terms proposed by Sherman extended beyond military matters to include political conditions. However, federal authorities in Washington rejected these terms, leading to additional negotiations.
Johnston's final surrender on April 26, 1865, encompassed Confederate forces across four states:
| State | Number of Troops |
|---|---|
| North Carolina | 21,000 |
| South Carolina | 8,000 |
| Georgia | 6,000 |
| Florida | 4,000 |
This surrender effectively ended organized Confederate resistance in the eastern theater, leaving only scattered Confederate units in the Trans-Mississippi region still under arms.
Sherman's March Through the Carolinas
#Sherman's Carolina Campaign marked a destructive path through South Carolina in early 1865, following his successful March to the Sea through Georgia. The campaign demonstrated Sherman's military strategy of total warfare, targeting both military infrastructure and civilian resources.
The Capture of Columbia and Charleston
#Sherman's forces captured Columbia, South Carolina's capital, on February 17, 1865, leaving the city in flames. Charleston, a significant Confederate port, fell to Union forces on February 18, 1865, after enduring a 545-day siege. The twin captures severely weakened Confederate control in South Carolina, destroying vital supply lines and manufacturing capabilities.
| City | Capture Date | Strategic Importance |
|---|---|---|
| Columbia | Feb 17, 1865 | State capital, manufacturing center |
| Charleston | Feb 18, 1865 | Major port, symbolic Confederate stronghold |
Advancing Toward North Carolina
#Sherman's army entered North Carolina in March 1865, facing resistance from Confederate forces under Johnston's command. The Union troops captured strategic locations including Fayetteville on March 11, destroying the Confederate arsenal. Sherman's advance through North Carolina created pressure on Johnston's forces, leading to engagements at Averasboro on March 16 and Bentonville from March 19-21, 1865. These battles represented the last significant Confederate resistance before Johnston's eventual surrender at Bennett Place.
| Battle | Date | Confederate Commander |
|---|---|---|
| Averasboro | March 16, 1865 | William J. Hardee |
| Bentonville | March 19-21, 1865 | Joseph E. Johnston |
Johnston's Command of the Confederate Army of Tennessee
#General Joseph E. Johnston assumed command of the Confederate Army of Tennessee in December 1864, tasked with defending the Carolinas against Sherman's advancing forces. His leadership proved crucial during the final months of the Civil War.
Defending the Carolinas Campaign
#Johnston reorganized the scattered Confederate forces in North Carolina to establish a defensive line against Sherman's Carolina Campaign. He combined remnants of the Army of Tennessee with troops from the Department of North Carolina South Carolina to form an army of 21,000 men.
The Confederate general implemented strategic defensive tactics:
- Positioned forces at key transportation hubs
- Established supply lines through eastern North Carolina
- Coordinated with local militia units
- Protected vital railroad junctions at Goldsboro Raleigh
Key battles under Johnston's command included:
| Battle | Date | Confederate Forces | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Averasboro | March 16, 1865 | 6,500 | Tactical Confederate Success |
| Bentonville | March 19-21, 1865 | 21,000 | Strategic Union Victory |
Johnston's defensive strategy focused on:
- Preserving military resources
- Protecting civilian populations
- Maintaining communication lines
- Delaying Sherman's advance
Despite these efforts, the overwhelming Union forces Sherman's successful flanking maneuvers forced Johnston to retreat northward. This continuous withdrawal ultimately led to the negotiations at Bennett Place where Johnston surrendered on April 26, 1865.
The Surrender Negotiations at Bennett Place
#The surrender negotiations between Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston and Union General William T. Sherman took place at Bennett Place, a small farmhouse near Durham Station, North Carolina. These discussions proved crucial in ending Confederate resistance across multiple Southern states.
Initial Meeting on April 17, 1865
#Johnston rode to meet Sherman at Bennett Place on April 17, initiating the first round of surrender talks. Sherman, influenced by President Lincoln's lenient approach to reconciliation, proposed terms that extended beyond military matters. The initial agreement included provisions for:
- Recognition of state governments
- Restoration of political rights
- Federal court system reestablishment
- Protection of private property rights
The Terms of Surrender
#The final surrender terms at Bennett Place focused strictly on military matters after Washington rejected Sherman's initial proposal. The agreement included:
| Key Terms | Details |
|---|---|
| Military Forces | 39,000 Confederate troops in NC, SC, GA & FL |
| Arms & Equipment | All weapons surrendered to Union authorities |
| Travel Allowance | Soldiers permitted to return home with private horses |
| Parole Status | All surrendering troops granted parole papers |
When Johnston signed the formal surrender document on April 26, 1865, he dissolved the last major Confederate military force in the eastern United States. The Bennett Place surrender terms mirrored those granted at Appomattox, focusing exclusively on military considerations rather than political concessions.
The Official Surrender on April 26, 1865
#Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston formally surrendered to Union General William T. Sherman at Bennett Place near Durham Station, North Carolina on April 26, 1865. The surrender document included specific military terms that disbanded the remaining Confederate forces in the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida.
Impact on the Confederate Army
#The Bennett Place surrender marked the largest Confederate capitulation of the Civil War, affecting 89,270 soldiers across four states. Here's the breakdown of the surrender's impact:
| Region | Number of Troops Surrendered |
|---|---|
| North Carolina | 39,000 |
| South Carolina | 17,500 |
| Georgia | 21,770 |
| Florida | 11,000 |
The surrender terms included:
- Immediate cessation of all military operations
- Transfer of all weapons and military equipment to Union authorities
- Release of Confederate soldiers on parole
- Permission for officers to keep their sidearms and personal horses
- Distribution of 40,000 rations to Confederate troops
The Bennett Place surrender effectively dissolved the last organized Confederate military resistance east of the Mississippi River. Following Johnston's surrender, remaining Confederate forces quickly capitulated:
- The Trans-Mississippi Army under General E. Kirby Smith surrendered on May 26
- The Cherokee Confederate forces under Stand Watie surrendered on June 23
- Scattered guerrilla units disbanded throughout the summer
- Soldiers received parole papers
- Union authorities provided transportation assistance
- Local provost marshals supervised the demobilization
- Veterans registered with their county officials
Post-Surrender Relations Between Sherman and Johnston
#After the Bennett Place surrender on April 26, 1865, Sherman and Johnston developed a respectful relationship that transcended their wartime roles. Sherman provided Johnston with $1,000 in gold to assist his transition to civilian life, demonstrating a spirit of reconciliation between former adversaries.
Their post-war correspondence reflects their evolving friendship:
- Exchanged letters discussing military strategies from their previous campaigns
- Shared perspectives on post-war reconstruction policies
- Maintained regular communication about personal matters through the 1870s
The depth of their friendship became evident in 1891 when Johnston, at age 84, served as a pallbearer at Sherman's funeral in New York City. Despite the cold February weather, Johnston refused to wear his hat during the outdoor service, stating, "If I were in his place, and he were standing here in mine, he would not put on his hat." This act led to Johnston contracting pneumonia, contributing to his death several weeks later.
Their relationship exemplified significant post-war reconciliation efforts:
| Event | Date | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Financial Support | April 1865 | Sherman's $1,000 gold gift |
| First Post-War Meeting | 1869 | Reconciliation dinner in Washington |
| Final Meeting | 1885 | Military review in Washington |
| Sherman's Funeral | February 14, 1891 | Johnston serves as pallbearer |
The professional respect between these former opponents evolved into a genuine friendship that lasted until their deaths, demonstrating how military leaders from both sides helped bridge the nation's divides after the Civil War.
Key Takeaways
#- General Joseph E. Johnston surrendered to Union General William T. Sherman on April 26, 1865, at Bennett Place near Durham Station, North Carolina.
- This surrender was larger than Lee's Appomattox surrender, encompassing Confederate forces across North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida - approximately 89,270 soldiers in total.
- The surrender negotiations began on April 17, 1865, following Lee's surrender at Appomattox Court House on April 9 and Lincoln's assassination on April 14.
- The final surrender terms focused strictly on military matters, including the transfer of weapons, release of soldiers on parole, and permission for officers to keep their sidearms and horses.
- This surrender effectively ended organized Confederate resistance in the eastern theater, with only scattered Confederate units in the Trans-Mississippi region remaining.
- Sherman and Johnston developed a respectful post-war friendship, culminating in Johnston serving as a pallbearer at Sherman's funeral in 1891.
Conclusion
#The surrender of Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston to Union General William T. Sherman at Bennett Place stands as one of the most pivotal moments in American Civil War history. This momentous event not only marked the largest Confederate surrender but also helped accelerate the end of the devastating conflict.
The remarkable relationship that developed between Johnston and Sherman after the war exemplified the spirit of reconciliation that would help heal the nation's wounds. Their transition from battlefield opponents to respected friends demonstrated that even the deepest divisions could be bridged through mutual respect and understanding.
Today Bennett Place serves as a powerful reminder of both the war's conclusion and the beginning of America's long journey toward reunification. The site continues to symbolize the importance of reconciliation in shaping the nation's future.