Battle of Plymouth (1864)

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.

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.

Battle

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.

File:Lt. Charles W. Flussen.jpg

"Killed April 18, 1864 in a naval engagement off Plymouth NC on the USS Miami"

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

Order of battle

Union forces

• 1st North Carolina Union Volunteers
• 2nd North Carolina Union Volunteers
• 101st Pennsylvania Volunteers
• 103rd Pennsylvania Volunteers
• 16th Connecticut Infantry
• 85th New York Light Infantry
• 10th US Colored Infantry
• 37th US Colored Infantry
• 2nd US Colored Cavalry
• 12th New York Cavalry
• 2nd Massachusetts Heavy Artillery
• 24th New York Independent Battery

Naval

• US Army transport Bombshell
• USS Miami
• USS Southfield
• USS Ceres
• USS Whitehead
• USS Massasoit

Confederate forces

Hoke's Division

• Hoke's Brigade
  • 6th North Carolina Infantry
  • 21st North Carolina Infantry
  • 43rd North Carolina Infantry
  • 54th North Carolina Infantry
  • 21st Georgia Infantry
• Ransom's Brigade
  • 8th North Carolina Infantry
  • 24th North Carolina Infantry
  • 25th North Carolina Infantry
  • 35th North Carolina Infantry
  • 49th North Carolina Infantry
  • 56th North Carolina Infantry
• Kemper's Brigade
  • 1st Virginia Infantry
  • 3rd Virginia Infantry
  • 7th Virginia Infantry
  • 11th Virginia Infantry
  • 24th Virginia Infantry

Dearing's Battalion

• 8th Confederate Cavalry
• Virginia Horse Artillery

Branch's Battalion

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

Moseley's Battalion

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

Guion's Battalion:

• 1st NC Artillery - Co.s B, G & H.

Read's Battalion:

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

Naval

• CSS Albemarle
• CSS Cotton Plant

External links

• National Park Service battle description
• Civil War Plymouth Pilgrims Descendants Society