Mass Grave Suspected at Bentonville Civil War Battlefield

Four Oaks, N.C. — In March 1865, 80,000 soldiers clashed on a Johnston County battlefield. More than 4,000 were killed, wounded or listed as missing.

But you won't find their graves on the battlefield.

Now, it appears there are soldiers buried on the battlefield, and there is evidence of a mass grave.

The area is the Bentonville Battlefield.

“We think about 360 Confederate soldiers are buried in this area,” said Donny Taylor, Bentonville Battlefield manager.

“Probably it will turn out to be two large mass graves that are basically joined together,” Taylor said.

The people at Bentonville Battlefield have long suspected there were Confederate soldiers buried somewhere on this land. A monument, dedicated in 1895, honors those soldiers who fell and lie “here.” But where “here” is has never been clear.

Archaeologists recently used a ground-penetrating radar system to try to solve the mystery. Anomalies they found show a break in the ground 6 feet below the surface.

“This gives us an idea where it is,” Taylor said. “We had an area. Now we've got a spot.”

Archaeologists plan further tests that should pin down whether there is a mass grave and its precise location.

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Latest Comments

How I read this article is was not about slavery or north and south it about marking the resting place of those who die there both north and south. I wouldn't want to see the remain removed but a fitting mark for the resting place is well deserved no matter which side of the fight they were with.

Bob3425
March 5, 2007 6:27 a.m.

In reference to the article (remember the article?) I am somewhat familiar with the search for these graves. The last I heard, the plan was simply to find them and mark the location appropriately. There will be no excavation or removal of the remains. The article certainly doesn't say any different.

.45
March 5, 2007 4:54 a.m.

PEOPLE!!!

There are folks who stalk the boards trying to incite an argument. They do this by making inflammatory statements. They are called TROLLS. The best thing to do is ignore them! If you ignore them they get angry and go away. When you respond they get exactly what they want, a childish thrill.

.45
March 5, 2007 4:44 a.m.

"Never disturb a Soldier's resting place. He has already given his ultiment sacrifice. He needs rest now." Out or curiosity, do you feel the same way about the remains of US soldiers in Vietnam?

mvnull
March 5, 2007 1:48 a.m.

The reason the north invaded the south is because 75% of the federal budget in 1860 came from five southern states. It was really about the money. You can't really believe the yankees actually cared about the blacks. They're still segregated communities in the North right now.

Lizard Paw
March 4, 2007 6:50 p.m.