Battle of Plymouth (1864)

The Battle of Plymouth was an engagement during the American Civil War that was fought from April 17 through April 20, 1864, in Washington County, North Carolina.

This article is about the engagement during the American Civil War. For the naval battle in the First Anglo-Dutch War, see Battle of Plymouth.
Battle of Plymouth
Part of the American Civil War
DateApril 17, 1864 (1864-04-17) – April 20, 1864 (1864-04-20)
Location
Washington County, North Carolina
Result Confederate victory
Belligerents
United States (Union)  Confederate States
Commanders and leaders
Henry W. Wessells 
Charles W. Flusser †		 Robert F. Hoke
Units involved
Plymouth Garrison Hoke's Division
Strength
2,500 4,500
Casualties and losses
2,000 800

Battle
Map of Plymouth Battlefield core and study areas by the American Battlefield Protection Program.

In a combined operation with the ironclad ram CSS Albemarle, Confederate forces under Maj. Gen. Robert F. Hoke, attacked the Federal garrison at Plymouth, North Carolina, on April 17. On April 19, the ram appeared in the river, sinking the USS Southfield, damaging the USS Miami, and driving off the other Union Navy ships supporting the Plymouth garrison. Confederate forces captured Fort Comfort, driving defenders into Fort Williams. On April 20, the garrison surrendered.

"Killed April 19, 1864 in a naval engagement off Plymouth NC on the USS Miami"
Site of Union earthworks on Washington Street

Plymouth citizens are believed to have taken refuge in the basement of the Latham House during the Battle of Plymouth.[1]

Order of battle

Union forces

Plymouth Garrison: Brig. Gen. Henry W. Wessells

Naval: Lt. Cdr. Charles W. Flusser (k)

Confederate forces

Hoke's Division: Brig. Gen. Robert F. Hoke

Dearing's Command: Col. James Dearing

  • 8th Confederate Cavalry
  • Virginia Horse Artillery Battery

Branch's Battalion

  • Pegram's Battery
  • Miller's Artillery
  • Bradford's Battery

Moseley's Battalion

  • Montgomery (Alabama) True Blues Artillery
  • Wilmington Light Artillery

Guion's Battalion

  • 1st North Carolina Artillery (Companies B, G and H)

Read's Battalion

  • 38th Virginia Light Artillery Battalion
    • Fauquier Artillery (Co. A)
    • Richmond Fayette Artillery (Co. B)
    • Bloundt's Lynchburg Artillery (Co. D)

Naval

References
  1. Janet K. Seapker and John B. Flowers, III (n.d.). "Latham House" (PDF). National Register of Historic Places - Nomination and Inventory. North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office. Retrieved 2015-06-01.

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