There was a worse and more evenly matched battle coming shortly thereafter at Raleigh, and both Johnston and Sherman knew it. That battle did not occur due to surrender at Appomattox, sparing many thousands of lives. It was over before Johnston ever took over from Beauregard, he told Lee as much, but he gave it his best.
What, the confederates would have only been outnumbered 2-1 instead of 3-1? What Sherman knew was that some confederate force would have to attack him at some point. That it was Bentonville instead of near Raleigh was the only surprise. And Johnston's only hope was for Lee to send him men which Lee didn't have. And then there was Grant and his 100,000 men and Sheridan with his 50,000. Presumably they would have been involved. The fact is there was never going to be an evenly matched battle in 1865. The confederates were done.