Morrisville History Center

The Morrisville History Center provides insight to its viewers to a skirmish that occurred in 1865 at the end of the Civil War in Morrisville, North Carolina. Many are unaware of the Battle at Morrisville Station, or as some call it, the Morrisville Engagement. On April 13, 1865, the city of Raleigh, North Carolina was captured by the Union Army. At this time, the Union Army had received word that General Robert E. Lee had surrendered at Appomattox Court House. General William T. Sherman of the Union Army was aware of the inevitable demise of the Confederate Army and sought to prevent them from retreating West.₁

Unaware that the Union Army was moving quickly towards their post, the Confederate Army set up camp in the outskirts of Raleigh. The Union Army unleashed an attack on the Confederate troops, who were faced with fighting in short engagements to delay Union advancement and organize their escape on the railroads. After moving through the outskirts of Raleigh, the Union Army pushed the Rebels back to Morrisville Station. General Kirkpatrick of the Union Army sent his cavalry to charge the train, which contained wounded Confederate soldiers in hopes to escape. The Confederate troops made a successful attack at Morrisville Station, which held off the Union Army just long enough to escape successfully. During the engagement, citizens of Morrisville hid in shelter, and houses around the area even have bullet markings from the skirmish.₂

Shortly after the Morrisville Engagement, General Johnston would make one of the most famous surrenders in the Civil War to General Sherman at the Bennett House in Durham, North Carolina. The Morrisville History Center provides maps, videos, and pictures which all provide detail to the backstory of the Battle at Morrisville Station, and a broader context of the role of Morrisville in the Civil War.