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Operations Against Plymouth [April-May 1864]
Introduction
While the South was enjoying some recent battlefield successes
in Virginia during the American Civil War (1861–1865), Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee would send Brig. Gen. Robert F.
Hoke to North Carolina during April 1864 in a grand attempt to recapture strategic Southern forts and ports along the
coast. Although the Operations Against Plymouth (April–May 1864) were successful, exigencies of war would soon
require Hoke to abandon all military activities and return to Lee's Army of Northern Virginia. The removal of Hoke's force
and the destruction of the Confederate Ironclad ram Albemarle allowed both Plymouth and Washington, North Carolina,
to fall back into Union hands.
Summary
Confederate
Brig. Gen. Robert F. Hoke, commanding, led the Operations Against Plymouth. Hoke, a North Carolina native, resumed
command of his brigade at Petersburg, Virginia, in January 1864, and led it south to North Carolina, where he organized attacks
on the coastal towns of New Bern and Plymouth. In the latter engagement during the Battle of Plymouth, April 17, 1864–April
20, 1864, Hoke captured a garrison of 2,834 Union soldiers. For his successes, the Confederate Congress would vote on May
17 to extend its "Thanks" for the action of Hoke and his men at Plymouth. Hoke would be promoted to major general on
April 23, 1864 (appointment dated from April 20), and assume command of what was known as Hoke's Division in the Department
of North Carolina and Southern Virginia. On May 5, 1864, the CSS Albemarle and a few Confederate vessels fought the
Union Navy to a draw during the Battle of Albemarle Sound. The Albemarle was damaged and, unable to render further
assistance, was scuttled before falling into Union hands. Although touted a Confederate victory, the Operations Against Plymouth
were indeed short-lived because Plymouth would return to Federal control soon after Hoke was ordered to return with his
forces to Virginia and assist Gen. Lee as he endeavored to enlarge his army and defend the state against the Elephant now
under the command of Lt. Gen. U.S. Grant. For the duration of the conflict, the entire North Carolina coast would remain
under Union control.
| Operations against Plymouth Map |
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| Operations against Plymouth Map |
| Operations against Plymouth |
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| General Robert F. Hoke |
Background
During the spring of 1864
the Confederate authorities decided on a bold campaign that was designed to capture some of the towns held by the Federals
in eastern North Carolina. Brig. Gen. Robert F. Hoke, well-known for his brilliant battlefield successes, was selected
to command the expedition. Along with his own brigade, Hoke also commanded Ransom's, Terry's Virginia brigade, the Forty-third
North Carolina Regiment, of which the distinguished citizen, Thomas S. Kenan, was colonel,
and several batteries of artillery, assisted by CSS ram Albemarle operating in the Roanoke River.
Battle of Plymouth
Consisting of the Battle of Plymouth and Battle of Albemarle Sound, the Operations Against Plymouth (April–May 1864) was
a joint Confederate Army-Navy effort to recapture vital Southern forts and ports along the North Carolina coast in 1864 during the American Civil War (1861–1865).
In a joint operation with the
ironclad ram CSS Albemarle, four Confederate brigades under Brig. Gen. Robert F. Hoke attacked the Federal garrison at Plymouth, North Carolina, April
17–20, 1864. On April 19, the Rebel ram appeared in the river, sinking the USS Southfield, damaging the USS
Miami, and driving off several other Union Navy ships supporting the Plymouth garrison. Confederate forces
next captured Fort Comfort, driving defenders into Fort Williams. The garrison capitulated on April 20, 1864. The Confederate victory at the battle of Plymouth
added immense ordnance stores to the Southern war effort and reopened the Roanoke River for
Confederate commerce and military operations. Brig. Gen. Hoke, in an after battle report dated April 20 to Confederate
authorities, stated to have stormed and captured this place [Plymouth], capturing 1 brigadier,
1600 men, stores, and 25 pieces of artillery.* Next, Hoke
intended to follow-up his victory by mounting an attack on the nearby strategic coastal community of New Bern (spelled New Berne at the time).
| North Carolina Map of Civil War Battlefields |
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| Operations Against Plymouth |
| NC Coast and the Civil War Map |
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| Courtesy Microsoft MapPoint |
| Operations against Plymouth |
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| Operations against Plymouth |
Following the capture of the Union command and the newly acquired provisions at Plymouth, Gen. PGT Beauregard
conveyed a rather sober truth about the recent fight. The general wrote that on April, 23, 1864, while at Weldon, N.C., I assumed command
of the Department of North Carolina and Southern Virginia.
It included Virginia south to the James and Appomattox, and
all that portion of, North Carolina east of the mountains.
The War Department was closely engaged at that time with certain operations against Plymouth and
New Berne, from which great results were expected at Richmond, but about which the enemy was not much concerned, as the main
object of his campaign could in no wise be affected or seriously disturbed by such a diversion.
The
fall of Plymouth led to the Federal evacuation of nearby Washington, N.C., on April, 28, 1864. (See also Siege of Washington.) On the evacuation, reported Union Gen. Palmer, Washington was burned
by Federal troops. In an order condemning the atrocities by his troops, Palmer said, "It is well known that the army
vandals did not even respect the charitable institutions, but bursting open doors of the Masonic and Odd Fellows' lodge, pillaged
them both and hawked about the streets the regalia and jewels. And this, too, by United States troops! It is well known that
both public and private stores were entered and plundered, and that devastation and destruction ruled the hour." Official
Records, XXXIII, p. 310.
Battle of Albemarle Sound
The CSS Albemarle sailed from Plymouth and engaged the Union fleet on May 5, 1864, and, due to the damage sustained in the battle of Albemarle,
was forced to abandon its objective of New Bern and thus returned to Plymouth. Unlike most Civil War ironclads and rams, which were
built in the traditional shipyard, the CSS Albemarle had been constructed in a Southern cornfield. While engaged
during the Battle of Albemarle Sound, May 5, the Albemarle and her two guns had faced and engaged a large Union
fleet that was armed with a total of sixty guns. The outcome of the naval contest, however, was the immediate withdrawal
of Confederate and Union naval forces, therefore resulting in a draw. General Hoke next moved against New Bern.
| Battle of Plymouth and Battle of Albemarle Sound |
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| Operations Against Plymouth |
Although Hoke had already taken the
outworks at New Bern and demanded its surrender, a messenger from Richmond arrived and hand delivered him special
orders. Hoke had been instructed to report
immediately to Petersburg, no matter how far his operations might have advanced against New Bern. According to Official
Records, "No time was lost in carrying out the order." The
anticipated Union attack on the Confederate capital of Richmond had warranted Hoke's immediate assistance. His withdraw and
advance was to be "made with all haste," stated General Robert E. Lee, who had received his instructions directly from President
Jefferson Davis.
*D. H. Hill, Jr., Confederate Military History Of North Carolina: North Carolina
In The Civil War, 1861-1865, page 174, stated the number at "nearly 3,000 men and 25 pieces of artillery,"
which would be the entire Federal garrison. Hoke's preliminary report, dated April 20, 1864, is often quoted by many
authors and historians, but, since the entire garrison had surrendered, less casualties, the number of "nearly [less] 3,000"
would reflect the after battle report. On p. 193, furthermore, Hill, quoting Colonel Henry Burgwyn of the 26th North Carolina,
stated, "Capturing Plymouth...with some [at least] 2,500 prisoners." Whereas both Confederate and Union reports and records placed
the Union total between 2,500 and 3,000, according to p. 618, Histories of the Several Regiments and Battalions from
North Carolina in the Great War 1861-'65 (Volume 2), Brig. Gen. Wessells reported Union losses of exactly 2,834.
Recommended Reading: The Civil War in North Carolina. Description: Numerous
battles and skirmishes were fought in North Carolina during
the Civil War, and the campaigns and battles themselves were crucial in the grand strategy of the conflict and involved some
of the most famous generals of the war. Continued below...
John Barrett presents the complete story of military engagements across the state, including the classical
pitched battle of Bentonville--involving Generals Joe Johnston and William Sherman--the siege of Fort
Fisher, the amphibious campaigns on the coast, and cavalry sweeps such
as General George Stoneman's Raid.
Operations against Plymouth [April-May 1864]
Related Studies:
North Carolina Coast and the American Civil War
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over Carolina: The Confederate Navy's Struggle for Eastern North Carolina. Description: The struggle for control of the eastern
waters of North Carolina during the War Between the States
was a bitter, painful, and sometimes humiliating one for the Confederate navy. No better example exists of the classic adage,
"Too little, too late." Burdened by the lack of adequate warships, construction facilities, and even ammunition, the
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Carolina from the raging Atlantic. Storm
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Reading: Rebels and Yankees: Naval Battles of the Civil War (Hardcover). Description: Naval Battles of the Civil War, written by acclaimed Civil War historian
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on these key coastal strongholds.
Recommended Reading: The Civil War in the Carolinas
(Hardcover). Description: Dan Morrill relates the experience
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