192 NortH Caro.tina Troops, 1861-’65.

signed “R,” says: “The result of this most brilliant sue-
cess was the capture of some 2,500 prisoners, 28 pieces of ar-
tillery, heavy and light, some 500 horses, 5,000 stands of
small arms, 700 barrels of flour, with other commissary and
quartermaster supples, immense ordnance stores, and the
strong position of Plymouth, which protects the whole Roan-
oke Valley, and furnishes a base for our iron-clad to drive out
from Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds, the large fleet of the
enemy’s gunboats, and open a large and rich country from
which we can obtain supplies. General Hoke, who com-
manded the expedition, though only 27 years of age, may
well rank with our ablest division commanders in the service.
He has wonderful tact, force, activity and an endurance
that despises fatigue; handles troops with great ease and
celerity, and has their unbounded confidence. Ransom’s
charge has not been surpassed at any time; his military
genius comprehended the situation, and he was master of
it; he determined on the charge, knowing what dash and
pluck could accomplish, when satisfied as to. the proper point
of attack. Colonel Dearing, of the cavalry, not only handled
his own command with great success, but in the charge of ar-
tillery and infantry at Fort Warren, and both on the right
and left with Ransom and Hoke, and on Wednesday morn-
ing in Ransom’s charge, his services were invaluable.”

In the message of Governor Vance to the General Assem-
bly of North Carolina 17 May, 1864, he says: “In addition
to the many brilliant victories, which have crowned.our arms
this spring in all parts of the Confederacy, I have the sincere
pleasure to congratulate you upon the splendid success of
the opening of the campaign in our State, resulting in the
recapture of the towns of Washington and Plymouth, and the
rescue of a considerable portion of our territory from the en-
emy. This is the more gratifying because it was accomplish-
ed by troops under the command of two distinguished sons
of North Carolina—Brigadier, now Major-General, Hoke,
commanding the land forces, and Commander Cooke, with the
steam ram Albemarle. I doubt not you will see the propri-
ety of rendering suitable thanks to these gallant officers, and
the brave officers and men under their command, for the con-

THE CAPTURE OF PLYMoUTH. 193

spicuous heroism which has been rewarded by such splendid
results.”

How the result was viewed at headquarters is shown by the
telegram sent. by President Davis:

“Brigadier-General Hoke: In the name of the Confeder-
acy, I thank you for your success. You are a Major-Gen-
eral from the date of the capture of Plymouth.”

CASUALTIES AT PLYMOUTH.

Twenty-fifth North Carolina: The killed reported at the
time were: In Company A, Jos. L. Edney and W. W.
Owenby ; in Company B, W. R. Grant ; in Company H, J. M.
Cartland; and in Company K, G. W. Black. Its wounded
were 20.

Twenty-fourth North Carolina. Lieutenant Wilkins was
killed, and five men wounded on the night of 18 April. In
the same regiment 20 April, the killed were: J. W. Puck-
ett, of Company B; E. R. Hocutt, of Company C; A. J.
Young and K. B. Taylor, of Company E; Jos. Mangum, of
Company H; Joshua Canady, of Company I; and J. F.
Baker, of Company K; Lieutenants E. S. Sanders and T. T.
Lee, of Company FE, and Captain W. J. Squiggins, of Com-
pany D, and 84 men wounded.

Thirty-fifth North Carolina. . The killed reported were:
Robert W. Brown, of Company A; Corporal W. H. Council,
of Company D; Lieutenant J. N. Loy, Sergeants H. W.
Oakley and J. J. Yarborough, and T. S. Drake, T. R. Gen-
try and A. Evans, of Company E; Sergeant John Dulin, J.
F. Harris and John Noles, of Company H; and Sergeant T.
W. Conley, J. W. Abernathy, D. Denton, D. Moore, J. C.
Whisenhundt and P. S. Whitener were killed, and Lieutenant
D. P. Glass mortally wounded in Company K. Major S. B.

Taylor and 84 men were wounded.
Eighth North Carolina. The killed were: H. C. Stoke-

ly, of Company A; George W. Graves, of Company B; W.
J. Baker, of Company C; R. F. Patterson, of Company D;
Lieutenant D. A. Patterson and John Coddle, of Company
E; Lieutenant L. D. Langley and Sergeant J. J. Tunnage, of

13