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.

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.
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

Plymouth Garrison: Brig. Gen. Henry W. Wessells
Naval: Lt. Cdr. Charles W. Flusser
Hoke's Division: Brig. Gen. Robert F. Hoke
Dearing's Command: Col. James Dearing
Branch's Battalion
Moseley's Battalion
Guion's Battalion
Read's Battalion
Naval