On the morning of March 21, 1865, Maj. Gen. Joseph Mower advanced with Fuller’s and Tillson’s brigades against the Confederate left flank through driving rain, deep swamps, briars, and dense undergrowth near Bentonville. Skirmishers from the 64th Illinois, armed with Henry repeating rifles, overran Gen. Joseph E. Johnston’s headquarters, forcing Johnston and his staff to flee on foot toward Bentonville, while Federals captured an abandoned artillery caisson from Earle’s Battery, Johnston’s headquarters, his personal effects, and several staff horses. Mower’s advance nearly cut off Johnston’s only avenue of retreat across Mill Creek, but a counterattack by Confederate Gen. William Hardee halted the attack. Without adequate support, Mower was called back by General Sherman, and that retreat allowed Johnston to withdraw his army, including the wounded, across Mill Creek bridge and fall back to Smithfield, ending the Battle of Bentonville.