Question of the Week 23 March
What was the greatest missed opportunity of the Battle of Bentonville? Was it Joseph Johnston’s inability to follow through on his assault on the first day, as discussed in Lee White’s piece on the Army of Tennessee? Was it Mower’sĀ failure to cut off Johnston’s line of retreat on March 21? Or was it another action?
MG Sherman’s recalling of Mower on the second day. An Army Corps astride Johnston’s one road to open country would have compelled the Confederates to attack again or surrender. Perhaps headquarters and Hampton’s Cavalry command could have maneuvered to open country, but the infantry and artillery could not have escaped.