If you have not had this experience, I cannot recommend it enough. Find a trail or tour stop at Bentonville, far enough away from the road to minimize noise. Stand (or sit) and open your ears and eyes. Breathe and take it all in. To me, it is one of the most awe-inspiring feelings. To contemplate so much beauty of nature in what was such a harrowing place in 1865. It is truly hallowed ground.
“The trails are majestically spectacular, and the pines still whisper secrets of the trenches below. Don’t miss it! The Cole Plantation is a must see full of mystery and quiet wonderment. It is hallowed ground, no doubt.”
Recent Facebook Review, name protected to preserve privacy
Any historic site you visit, you will interact with nature. Nature is as intimately tied to our knowledge and study of history as the concept of time. Historic events are directly tied to the environment in which they take place. Learning about and, even better, experiencing those environments provides a totally new, immersive experience to contemplate our shared past.
Exploring History in Nature
On my first day of work at Bentonville as an intern the full-time staff brought me and my fellow intern down the current trail and we traversed through the woods into what is now the Morris Farm Trail. Although a bit muddy, the weather was beautiful and looking out over the open field, my mind opened to the incredible power of this battlefield. Standing behind trenches built by the 13th New Jersey and 82nd Illinois regiments over 150 years ago as they fought for their lives in these woods, firing on the flanks of multiple daring charges made by the men of Taliaferro’s Division, I finally understood just what drew people here and kept them returning. That continues to be one of my favorite spots on the battlefield in its hallowed, quiet solitude. The trail now winds through the woods and the view has improved to an expansive vista of the historic Morris Farm, the site of the last moments of the last grand charge of the Army of Tennessee and some of the most desperate and hard fighting ever to take place on North Carolina soil.
Mark Bradley, in his book “Last Stand in the Carolinas,” describes the interactions of the soldiers with the natural landscape at this pivotal spot on the battleground. “The swampy, briar-strewn ravines bordering their [the 13th New Jersey] front and left flank made excellent natural obstacles to an enemy advance, and the strip of trees provided good cover, yet afforded the men a commanding view of the field that stretched before them.” Samuel Toombs, the 13th’s historian recalled how that scene changed quickly, “The vast field was soon covered with men, horses, artillery, caissons, etc.”
“I remember the day well. It was Sunday, a beautiful and sunshiny day, and had it not been for the terrible rattle of musketry, and the fierce roar of cannon, we would have been delighted with the warbles of the beautiful birds of the sunny south.”
Capt. S. L. Zinser, 86th Illinois, part of Fearing’s Brigade on the south side of the battlefield, opposite the Goldsboro Road from the 13th New Jersey and their fellow Illinoisans in the 82nd
Since the battle, veterans, descendants, historians, and visitors have traversed the hallowed ground of the battlefield. Even before a historic site was established, walking and driving tours explored the history of the area, ever intertwined with the natural landscape. Creating an even more visceral experience, visitors often witnessed the remnants of war in nature, seeing shells and bullets still lodged in trees and the extensive breastworks constructed by soldiers on both sides across the battlefield to provide some sort of cover from the onslaught of bullets.
Below, check out some historic photos of visitors and historians visiting the battlefield in the years leading up to the preservation of the historic site. These photos are all featured in the new publication “Images of America: Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site,” written by Colby Lipscomb (author of this blogpost) and Derrick Brown. You can pick up the book in the gift shop or order it at this link!
“When you’re dealing with histories of violence, like war, and the story of slavery and the story of the Civil War, to me when you can experience that story in the presence of a natural landscape, it’s something that is a kind of balm for the wounds of memory. To be surrounded by these trees knowing they were witness to all of this, gives me a sense of comfort and almost courage to be able to face these really challenging and sometimes painful parts of our history.” – Michelle Lanier, Director NC Historic Sites and Properties
Michelle Lanier, Director of NC Historic Sites and Properties at the 2023 Bull Pen Trail Dedication
Exploring Nature at a Historic Site
An incredible side effect of battlefield preservation is natural landscape preservation. At Bentonville today, we strive to pair our preservation and interpretation of the battlefield with the same energy for nature. Walking trails have become one of the most popular ways to experience the site and many people come here for the trails and learn about history in the process.
One of my favorite programs I have helped develop as a full-time staff member are our quarterly bird walks, led by volunteers from the Wake Audubon Society. Most of the visitors who attend these walks know nothing about the battle or Civil War history but they are always full of questions when I attend the walks with them. They come here for the birds, and stay for the history.
Whether you come for the nature or for the history or for both, we sincerely hope you can leave here thinking differently about this place, having learned something new, or experienced something memorable. We are passionate about preservation and hope you will be too.
We continue to manage the natural landscape and help visitors explore well into 2024! Check out these photos of a small selection of activities where we have explored and managed nature at Bentonville recently!
What’s an experience you’ve had in nature while exploring Bentonville? We hear stories all the time and would love to hear yours! Comment below to join the conversation!
Join in the fun too! Sign up for our next bird walk at 9:00AM on April 27th here: https://forms.gle/3wd7gj77qGPWbJLt8
Don’t miss other nature-focused activities on April 27th, including another guided history hike, scavenger hunt for the whole family, and hands-on activities!
