The Civil War is a defining moment in America’s history. One of the most important events in the Civil War was Sherman’s March. “Sherman’s March is captivating for two reasons: it eventually signaled the end of the war, which meant freedom for slaves; and it created a swath of destruction in the South, leaving families in a destitute state. Families who experienced Sherman’s March directly told their stories to each generation, up to this day. After more than 150 years, these stories continue to resonate with those families as part of the “Lost Cause,” and it’s worn as a badge of honor,” Leisa Greathouse, Curator of Education at the Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex, explained. On March 12, at 2 p.m., the Museum of the Cape Fear will host a presentation about this topic by the award-winning Civil War author Col. Wade Sokolosky, U.S. Army, retired.

Fayetteville has a particular connection to Sherman’s March. “Fayetteville was an attraction for Sherman because of the North Carolina Arsenal. After leaving Savannah and heading north through South Carolina, he had the potential of many objectives of where to go next. He was bringing his Total War Policy to North Carolina. He deliberately tried to fool the Confederates with which direction he would take, but he had his eyes set for Fayetteville to raze the arsenal. It was, after all, producing weapons for the Confederacy,” Greathouse said. “Fayetteville was the starting point for what would turn out to be a series of events that led to the end of the war in North Carolina.”

Sokolosky is a 25-year veteran of the Army and a graduate of East Carolina University. He is considered one of the state’s experts on the 1865 Carolinas Campaign. He is well known for his book No Such Army Since the Days of Julius Caesar: Sherman’s Carolinas Campaign from Fayetteville to Averasboro, March 1865. There will be books available for purchase and an autograph session at this event. His presentation is entitled In the Path of Sherman’s March: The Final Days of the Fayetteville Arsenal. “Audience members will hear about some of the finer points regarding what happened in Fayetteville when it was occupied by the Union Army under Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman while simultaneously describing how the Confederate Army attempted to take a stand against Union forces at the Battle of Averasboro,” Greathouse said.

One of the most compelling parts of Sokolosky’s work is his inclusion of first-hand accounts. “First-hand accounts give historians the best facts possible. First-hand accounts give voice to those who have come and gone before us. First-hand accounts can very often take away the guessing of what happened. First-hand accounts instill empathy,” Greathouse said. “But most of all, first-hand accounts make obscure events real. Whatever is in that first-hand account happened to a real person and not just a faceless name in a book.” For more information visit http://museumofthecapefear.ncdcr.gov. 

The future of the Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex continues along this Civil War theme. “The Museum of the Cape Fear is slated to become the North Carolina Civil War History Center,” Greathouse said.  “Fundraising efforts currently remain underway. Local organizers hope to break ground by 2020. The focus will be on the state-wide story of North Carolina and the Civil War, and will still include an exhibit on regional history. Historic Arsenal Park will be the setting for this one-of-a-kind attraction. Personal stories, previously uncollected, are now being sought to create exhibit content to tell a more complete and comprehensive story of North Carolina in the Civil War.”