Presented by the
Civil War Plymouth Pilgrims Descendants Society
Books for Sale at the
Port-O-Plymouth Museum
Cornfield Ironclad -
Print by William R. McGrath
Battle of Plymouth Memorial
Monument Project
Where is Plymouth, North Carolina?
Plymouth is located in Washington County, NC on the south side of the Roanoke River about 8 miles from Albemarle Sound. To get there, take US 64 East off of I-95 towards the Outer Banks. For hotels in Plymouth, check out the link at the end of the homepage. The Port-O-Plymouth Museum is located along the waterfront. To get there, take Washington Street till it dead ends into Water Street. Turn right and the museum will be on the left at the end of the business district.
The Battle of Plymouth began at 4 p.m. on the afternoon of Sunday, April 17th, 1864 with an attack by Confederate forces under the command of General Robert F. Hoke on the small Federally garrisoned town of Plymouth, resulting in the capture of Fort Wessells [85th (NY) Redoubt] on the 18th. With assistance on the morning of the 19th from the newly constructed C.S.S. Ram Albemarle, under the command of Commander James W. Cooke, the U.S.S. Southfield was sunk, Lt. Commander Flusser of the U.S.S. Miami was accidentally killed, and the river cleared of the U.S. Navy's fleet. With the Albemarle in control of the river, and the Confederates surrounding the entire garrison of Plymouth, the Union forces had no means of escape or the ability to bring in reinforcements.
Following the capture of Fort Compher [sometimes called Fort Comfort] and Conaby Redoubt on the morning of the 20th by General Matt W. Ransom, and a desperate street battle, the remaining Union forces were forced to seek refuge within Fort Williams, the principal fort at Plymouth. The surrounded and highly outnumbered Union forces under the command of Union commander Brigadier General Henry Wessells were forced to surrender between 10 & 11 a.m. of the 20th of April.
The Union prisoners, known as the Plymouth Pilgrims, were kept overnight in a field on the outskirts of town. The following morning they began their march to Tarboro, NC where they would board the trains and head deeper South to Prisoner of War Camps.
Official Reports on the Battle of Plymouth
Battle of Plymouth account by Sgt. Warren Lee Goss, Co. H, 2nd MA Heavy Artillery.
Battle of Plymouth account by Abner Flint, Co. K, 85th NY.
Battle of Plymouth account by Hospital Steward George H. Slaybaugh, 101st PA Infantry.
Battle of Plymouth account by Corporal Jacob D. Brown, Co. D, 101st PA Infantry.
Battle of Plymouth account by Sgt. Major Robert H. Kellogg, 16th CT Infantry.
Living History Weekend, Plymouth NC
New website for the Living History Weekend!!
The main event that the Civil War Plymouth Pilgrims Descendants Society takes part in annually is the Living History Weekend at Plymouth, NC which takes place annually on the third weekend in April. It is far more than just a reenactment of a battle. It is a weekend filled with educational opportunities to learn the details of the battle and the men who fought there. There is a Memorial Service with both Union and Confederate descendants paying homage to their ancestors, "first-person" and battle reenactments and many other educational events.
For further information concerning the next Living History Weekend, please contact Harry Thompson, Curator of the Port-O-Plymouth Museum, at 252-793-1377 or harry@plymouthmuseum.com.
Another link for info on the Battle of Plymouth Living History Weekend.
The Port-O-Plymouth Museum has a growing collection of Civil War artifacts as well as other items related to the history of Washington County. The museum is located along the waterfront. To get there, take Washington Street till it dead ends into Water Street. Turn right and the museum will be on the left at the end of the business district. Hours for the museum are Tuesday - Saturday 8am - 5pm. The cost for admission is $1 for adults & $.50 for children.
Harry Thompson, Curator
PO Box 296, Plymouth, NC 27962
252-793-1377
Books for Sale at the Port-O-Plymouth Museum:
All prices do not include tax or shipping charges.
Bertie in Blue, Experiences of Bertie County's (NC) Union Servicemen during the Civil War, by Gerald Thomas. $12.
Charlie Mosher's Civil War Diary (85th NY), by Wayne Mahood. $30.
Divided Allegiances, Bertie County (NC) during the Civil War - The story of the men, both Black & White who enlisted on both sides during the war. Includes history on the 2nd NC Union Volunteer Infantry, by Gerald Thomas. $11.
Escape from Dixie - Experiences of Lt. John Lafler, 85th NY Civil War POW, by John Ball. $12.95. ($1 from each book sold goes to the Plymouth Monument Fund)
General Robert F. Hoke, Lee's Modest Warrior - Biography of Gen. Hoke, including a battle account of Plymouth, Daniel W. Barefoot. $24.95.
Ironclad of the Roanoke - The story of the Albemarle, by Robert Elliott. $29.95
The Plymouth Pilgrims - History of the 85th NY, by Wayne Mahood. $30.00
Plymouth Memorial Monument Project
At present there are efforts under way to have a "Battle of Plymouth" memorial monument placed in Plymouth. At the present time, there are no monuments at Plymouth. However, there are several Historical Markers. The end result is to have a monument which is dedicated to the memory of both the Union and Confederate soldiers who fought at the battle; listing all the regiments, North & South, that fought in the battle. The project is a joint effort between the Civil War Plymouth Pilgrims Descendants Society, the Port-O-Plymouth Museum and the Washington County, NC Historical Society. At present, we are still looking for a suitable location for the monument. Until a site can be acquired, the final design cannot be finalized. Plans are to have the dedication of the monument during the Living History Weekend within the next five years.
Monument donations can be sent to:
Scott Holmes, Treasurer
Civil War Plymouth Pilgrims Descendants Society
10106 Champions Circle, Franklin TN 37064
Please make checks payable to the society.
Civil
War History of Plymouth, NC
Confederate Casualties - Richmond
Enquirer April 29, 1864
Cornfield Ironclad
- Print by William R. McGrath
The Neuse;
sister ship of the Albemarle.
Motels and Hotels
in Plymouth, NCPlymouth High School Alumni
Web Page
