The Battle of Monroe's Crossroads, March 10, 1865, was one of most
important but least known engagements of William T. Sherman's Carolinas
Campaign. Now in paperback, here is the only book-length account of this
combat.
As Sherman's infantry crossed into North Carolina, Maj. Gen. Judson
Kilpatrick's veteran Federal cavalry division fanned out in front,
screening the advance. When Kilpatrick learned that Confederate cavalry
under Lt. Gen. Wade Hampton was hot on his trail, he decided to set a
trap for the Southern horsemen near a place called Monroe's Crossroads.
Hampton, however, learned of the plan and decided to do something
Kilpatrick was not expecting: attack.
On March 10, Southern troopers under Hampton and Maj. Gen. Joseph
Wheeler launched a savage surprise attack on Kilpatrick's sleeping camp.
After three hours of some of the toughest cavalry fighting of the entire
Civil War, Hampton broke off and withdrew. His attack, however, stopped
Kilpatrick's advance and bought another precious day for Lt. Gen.
William J. Hardee to evacuate his command from Fayetteville. This, in
turn, permitted Hardee to join the command of Gen. Joseph E. Johnston
and set the stage for the climactic Battle of Bentonville nine days
later.
Noted Civil War author Eric J. Wittenberg has written the first detailed
tactical narrative of this important but long-forgotten battle, and
places it in its proper context within the entire Carolinas Campaign.
His study features 28 original maps and dozens of illustrations.
Finally, an author of wide experience and renown has brought to vivid
life this overlooked portion of the Carolinas Campaign.
