Carried Into War
A Soldier's Life
Realities of War
The Home Front
Facing the Grim Reaper
Breaking the Blockade
The Last Campaigns
An Uncertain Future
Acknowledgments
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Hopeful of Victory
The Peace Movement
Desperate for Victory
Despite the setbacks of 1863, most Confederate soldiers in the spring of 1864 remained confident of eventual independence. Victories such as the one at Plymouth, North Carolina, in April increased the hope of success. In May, heavy fighting in Virginia at the Wilderness, at Spotsylvania Courthouse, and nearer to Richmond did not shake the faith of the men, but tremendous casualties thinned their ranks. Soldiers began to wonder just how long they would have to fight to win the war.
The Battle of Plymouth
I have stormed and captured this place [Plymouth], capturing 1 brigadier, 1600 men, stores, and 25 pieces of artillery.
—Brigadier General Robert F. Hoke, April 20, 1864
In early 1864, Robert F. Hoke was transferred to eastern North Carolina to serve under General George E. Pickett. Following an unsuccessful attempt to recapture New Bern from the Federals, Pickett was recalled to Virginia, and Hoke took over command of eastern North Carolina Confederate forces. On April 17, 1864, Hoke and his troops attacked the United States force at Plymouth. Two days later, the CSS Albemarle appeared and sank or drove away Union ships supporting the Federals. On April 20, 1864, Union troops under the command of General Henry W. Wessells surrendered. Hoke's success at Plymouth returned an important region to Confederate control and gave Southern morale a needed boost.
Robert F. Hoke
A native of Lincolnton, Lincoln County, and graduate of the Kentucky Military Institute, Robert F. Hoke rapidly rose in rank during the Civil War. After recovering from serious wounds suffered in the Chancellorsville campaign in May 1863, Hoke was dispatched to eastern North Carolina to help drive out Union forces. Because of his success at Plymouth, Hoke was promoted to major general, with his commission dating to the April 20 victory.
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Fighting in Virginia
God have mercy on my soul.
—Brigadier General Junius Daniel at the Battle of Spotsylvania Courthouse, May 12, 1864
North Carolinian Junius Daniel spoke these words as he lay dying after being shot at Spotsylvania Courthouse. Daniel, like other Tar Heel soldiers, believed victory would come only with great personal sacrifice. These men were willing to die if necessary to gain independence for the Confederacy. On his deathbed, General Daniel asked repeatedly about his men and the battle that raged a few miles away and worried about his wife at home.
Junius Daniel
Junius Daniel, from Halifax County, served as colonel of the Fourteenth Regiment North Carolina Troops (Fourth Regiment North Carolina Volunteers). Promoted to brigadier general in September 1862, Daniel fought with distinction at Gettysburg in 1863 and at the Wilderness in early May 1864. He was mortally wounded at Spotsylvania Courthouse on the morning of May 12, 1864, and died the following day.
Thomas P. Devereux
Thomas P. Devereux, an eighteen-year-old from Halifax County, left the Virginia Military Institute over the objections of his father and joined the army as a courier in January 1864. He was standing with General Junius Daniel when the general was mortally wounded at Spotsylvania Courthouse. Devereux was then assigned as General Bryan Grimes's courier and served until the end of the war.
James B. Gordon
James B. Gordon of Wilkes County enlisted in 1861 as an infantry private but soon joined the cavalry. Commissioned, he rose to the rank of brigadier general. In May 1864, near Richmond, Gordon was shot in the left arm as he led an attack. He died from blood poisoning eight days later.
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