In February 1865, Union armies commanded by William T. Sherman were advancing northward through the Carolinas towards Virginia.

[1] Johnston established his headquarters at Smithfield, North Carolina and named his force the "Army of the South".

Johnston decided that remaining at Fayetteville was too risky, so he retreated back to Smithfield to concentrate his army.

The Union units rallied near the Harper House and, reinforced by the XX Corps, managed to hold against additional Confederate charges.

From April 8 to the 10th, Johnston reorganized the army, consolidating dozens of shrunken regiments and brigades, and forming the resulting divisions into three corps commanded by Hardee, Stewart, and Lee.