{"exhibit":{"title":"Refugee Crisis of 1865","description":"<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the weeks leading up to Sherman\u2019s arrival in Fayetteville, North Carolina, more than his soldiers were following his steps. <span>&nbsp;<\/span>Thousands of African Americans escaped from their masters and ventured with Sherman\u2019s men north for a chance at freedom.<span>&nbsp; <\/span>Despite challenges along the way, more than 6,000 men, women, and children arrived in Wilmington, North Carolina, just days after the Confederate defeat at Fort Fisher.<span>&nbsp; <\/span>After escaping with their lives and only what they could reasonably carry, refugees ventured to North Carolina, looking for solace.<span>&nbsp; <\/span>Local leader, General Joseph R. Hawley, placed refugees at Fort Anderson\/ Brunswick Town on acquired and\/or abandoned lands, including Orton, Lilliput, and Kendall Plantations.<span>&nbsp; <\/span>There, they crafted communities and established roots as free men and women post-Civil War.<span>&nbsp; <\/span><\/p>","credits":"","featured":0,"public":1,"theme":"","theme_options":null,"slug":"refugee-crisis-of-1865","added":"2026-01-28 19:10:52","modified":"2026-05-05 15:06:15","owner_id":2,"use_summary_page":1,"cover_image_file_id":null,"id":19},"item":{"item_type_id":null,"collection_id":10,"featured":0,"public":1,"added":"2026-04-30 16:36:57","modified":"2026-05-05 12:41:42","owner_id":27,"id":478}}