Battle of Plymouth

Other Names: None

Location: Washington County, North Carolina

Campaign: Operations against Plymouth (April-May 1864)

Date: April 17-20, 1864

Principal Commanders: Col. Henry W. Wessells [US]; Maj. Gen. R.F. Hoke [CS]

Forces Engaged: Plymouth Garrison (4 infantry and artillery units) [US]; Hoke's Division [CS]

Casualties and losses: 2,834 total

Result(s): Confederate victory

Brief Description:

In a combined operation with the CSS ram Albemarle, Confederate forces under Maj. Gen. R.F. Hoke, attacked the Federal garrison at Plymouth on April 17. On April 19, the ram appeared in the river, sinking the Smithfield, damaging the Miami, and driving off the other Union ships supporting the Plymouth garrison. Confederate forces captured Fort Comfort, driving defenders into Fort Williams. On the 20th, the garrison surrendered. Following the fall of Fort Williams, resistant Union forces remained around Plymouth. They remained for several hours after the surrender, but ultimately withdrew. Confederate forces moved into Plymouth and looted the town’s supplies. Food, ammunition, and other stores of materials were confiscated by the Confederate soldiers. Union forces abandoned Washington, N.C., as well as Plymouth. The Confederates held the towns until the Albemarle was sunk by Union raiders in late October 1864. With the ironclad gone, the southern troops abandoned Plymouth, which remained under Union occupation for the duration of the war.