BENTONVILLE, N.C. -- More than 80,000 Union and Confederate soldiers clashed for three days in March of 1865 in the woods and fields near Bentonville, which is in Johnston County.

 

Confederate General Joe Johnston tried, but failed, to stop Union General William T. Sherman's march through the Carolinas.

 

More than 4,000 were killed, wounded, or missing.  Nobody knows where many of them were buried.

 

"We don't like to assume when we interpret and present information to the public," said Battlefield manager Donny Taylor. "But we always knew from where we read there was a mass grave somewhere."

 

A monument dedicated in 1895 states that it is, "dedicated to more than 360 Confederate soldiers buried here."

 

 But nobody knew where "here" was until an old photo, taken around the time of the monument dedication was found. Researchers noticed what appeared to be gravestones in the background.

 

 Researchers used ground penetrating radar and shallow excavations to find what's believed to be the graves of 22 soldiers who died in the Harper family house, which was used as a field hospital during the battle.

 

  It's another sign history is made of stories, passed on through the years.

 

"Being this monument was put up 30 years after the battle, memories change," said Derrick Brown, a battlefield program director.

 

The radar reportedly found some other interesting features nearby, but work won't be started on those until the final report on the first search is finished.

 

"It appears we've got one puzzle answered, but it looks like we got a whole other one opened, " said Taylor.

 

The discoveries come on the 143rd anniversary of the battle.  The state historic site has a weekend of activities planned.  To find out, click on www.nchistoricsites.org