Battle of Monroe's Crossroads
Fort Bragg, NC

Photos/text courtesy of Michael J. Hathaway, US Army
For any use of these photos contact Webmaster

Additional photos will be available at a later date
 

Battlefield Topo (PowerPoint)		 Links:
1. Fort Bragg Cultural Resources: Monroe's Crossroads Info
2. Battle Summary: Monroe's Cross, NC
3. American Civil War Battle Monroe's Cross Roads
4. Chapter 3 - The Battle and Land Use of Monroe's Crossroads
5. The Carolinas Campaign
6. NC Historic Sites - Bentonville Battlefield - Other Websites
 
Monroe's Crossroads Manuscript by Michael J. Hathaway
Surprise attack at the Monroe Farm   Sidebar   Bibliography   Illustrations   Illustration Captions
 

When: March 10, 1865

Where: Monroe's Crossroads, located about 15 miles southwest of Fayetteville within the boundaries of Fort Bragg, North Carolina

Who: Confederate Cavalry under LTG Wade Hampton, Federal Cavalry under Brevet Major General Hugh J. Kilpatrick

Victor: Draw

Tactical Importance: Little or no tactical importance on the outcome of the war

Brief: After days of skirmishing with each other since entering North Carolina, MG Hugh J. Kilpatrick's Cavalry and LTG Wade Hampton's Cavalry raced for Fayetteville. Despite orders from General Sherman not to force the Confederates to battle, Kilpatrick tried to block three roads to stop the advancing Confederates. On the night of 9 March 1865, Kilpatrick set up camp at the abandoned Charles Monroe farm, the same campsite Hampton planned to use. Kilpatrick didn't seem to care about the Confederate threat, but Hampton was much more serious and planned a dawn attack. As the attack commenced, the Federals were taken completely by surprise and were routed from their camp. The Confederates, more interested in plundering the campsite, failed to follow-up the attack. This gave the Federals time to launch an effective counterattack that eventually forced the Confederates to withdraw from the battle.

 

(2009) Enlarge Monroe's Crossroads Battle Marker:
 
Looking south from Blues Rosin Road. The marker reads, "MONROE'S CROSSROADS CIVIL WAR BATTLE. MG Kilpatrick's Union Cavalry fought LTG Hampton's Confederate Cavalry here during the early morning hours of 10 March 1865."

(2009) Enlarge Monroe's Crossroads Monument:

This monument honoring both fighting forces was erected on the site of the battle by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' 307th Engineer Battalion (Combat) (Airborne) in April, 1996 just south of burial area C

    

   

  

(2009) Enlarge Monroe's Crossroads Monument:
 
Looking north toward burial area C. About 200 meters beyond the burial area is the site where the Monroe residence once stood. The road to the right is a firebreak that runs parallel to the old Blues Rosin Road
 
Photo courtesy Fort Bragg, NC Cultural Resources

  

(2009) Enlarge Monroe Mill Pond:
  
Looking north from the south side of the mill pond. After being routed from their camp, Federal cavaliers sprinted down a long hill toward this pond. It was on the opposite shore of this mill pond where they formulated a counterattack plan that eventually drove the Confederates from the camp
     

(2009) Enlarge CW Campsite Marker:
  
This sign, located on Fort Bragg, marks the area where General Kilpatrick camped the night prior to entering Fayetteville. Relic hunting on Fort Bragg is strictly forbidden and is a federal felony offense

  

(2009) Enlarge Monroe's Crossroads Battlefield:
 
This view is looking southeast from Blues Rosin Road toward the battlefield. Prior to the attack, Union Cavalry Troopers were camped all over this area. The Confederates on horseback had a clear advantage and drove the soldiers from their camp. Instead of following up their attack, the Confederates chose to plunder the campsite. This allowed the Federals to formulate an effective counterattack
     
 

(2009) Enlarge CW Soldier Grave Marker:
 
This grave marker is located just off the plank road near the site where MG Kilpatrick camped on the night of 10 March 1865

      

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