Battle of Averasboro Facts

March 16, 1865

Averasboro Battle facts, including dates, location, casualties, leaders, who won, and more interesting facts you might not know. This fact sheet provides a quick overview of the battle and is for kids doing research and students preparing for the AP U.S. History (APUSH) exam.

General William J Hardee, Civil War

On March 16, 1865, William J. Hardee’s Confederate soldiers temporarily delayed the left-wing of William T. Sherman’s forces, as it marched through the Carolinas. Image Source: Library of Congress.

Date

  • March 16, 1865

Location

  • Near the present city of Dunn, in Harnett and Cumberland Counties, North Carolina

Campaign

Principal Union commander:

Principal Confederate Commander

Union Forces Engaged

  • Army of Georgia

Confederate Forces Engaged

  • Hardee’s Corps

Number of Union Soldiers Engaged

  • Roughly 26,000

Number of Confederate Soldiers Engaged

  • Roughly 5,400

Estimated Union Casualties

  • 682 (killed, wounded, and missing/captured)

Estimated Confederate Casualties

  • 500 (killed, wounded, and missing/captured)

Result

  • Inconclusive, however, William J. Hardee accomplished his task by hindering Henry W. Slocum’s advance by nearly two days, thus buying Joseph E. Johnston time to concentrate Confederate troops for the Battle of Bentonville.

Significance

  • The Battle of Averasboro was the first major Confederate attempt to stop William T. Sherman’s march through the Carolinas.

Timeline of the Carolinas Campaign

These are the main battles and events of the Carolinas Campaign in order.