Sherman Receives News of Lee's Surrender in Smithfield
Johnston County Courthouse
In the early morning hours of April 12, 1865, two Union officers arrived here and delivered a telegram from General Ulysses S. Grant to General William T. Sherman, who was quartered in the Old Johnston County Courthouse, which stood on this site (depicted above). After reading the telegram, General Sherman issued the following dispatch to his army:
"The general commanding announces to the army that he has official notice from General Grant that General Lee surrendered to him his entire army on the 9th. inst., at Appomattox Court House, Virginia."
Upon receiving this news, "tumultuous cheering" erupted and bands played, as Sherman's army celebrated the news of Lee's surrender in Smithfield before resuming its march on Raleigh in the final days of the Civil War.
Erected in the 250th Year of the County of Johnston
Marker is at the intersection of East Market Street (U.S. 70) and South 2nd Street, on the right when traveling east on East Market Street.
Courtesy hmdb.org
