The motto and driving goal at Bentonville is “Preserve – Educate – Explore” and the staff is always looking for new and innovative ways to make that a reality at the site. As summer rapidly approaches, one of the ways they are making that happen is through a new program called “Bites of Bentonville”. Fridays and Saturdays (as staffing allows) the staff will be giving a variety of short guided talks on various portions of the battlefield. This is a new adventure, and the staff is so excited about the opportunity!
Through these new guided talks, the staff hopes to get people out onto parts of the battlefield that are not as heavily visited as others. This will also be a great opportunity for you, the visitor, to learn about a new piece of the story of Bentonville! Take a look below at a few of the planned topics.
Join staff members for an exciting discussion of battlefield engineering and the work that goes into keeping an army as large as Sherman’s on the move during the Carolinas Campaign!
Join staff members for an in-depth look at the experience of a single soldier in the 21st Michigan during the battle of Bentonville. Discover the experience of battle as told from an individual’s point of view.
Join staff members for a discussion – on the exact spot – of the tragedy of Willie Hardee during the final moments of fighting at Bentonville Battlefield. The incident, described as “One of the most deplorable incidents of the entire war” by a confederate officer, occurred just on the outside of the town of Bentonville.
Join staff for a discussion on the importance of confederate cavalry in bringing about the battle of Bentonville. You will discover how the field of battle was chosen by the famed confederate cavalry commander Wade Hampton!
The staff and volunteers are excited to get this new education opportunity rolling! All guided talks will begin in the visitors center. Guided talks will be given at 11am on Fridays and at 11am and 1pm on Saturdays. All guided talks are subject to change due staffing and weather concerns.