| Summary |
This study is an examination and interpretation of the role of Major General Robert F. Hoke in the Civil War in North Carolina. As a prominent Confederate leader, General Hoke made significant, contributions to the course of the war. Hoke enlisted as a twenty-three year old private in the Confederate Army in May, 1861, and by April, 1864, he had risen to the rank of Major General. During the final two years of the war, Hoke played an outstanding role in every major military action in eastern North Carolina. He was instrumental in planning the eventually unsuccessful Confederate attempt to recapture New Bern in February, 1864, and led one of the columns in the actual assault. Although the Confederate attack ended in failure, Hoke nevertheless proved his ability to plan military operations. In an analysis of this battle, Hoke's most serious deficiency as a military leader can be seen. This was the lack of ability on his part to cooperate and to coordinate with Confederate officers of equal or superior rank, this particular case there was a grave conflict between Hoke and Major General George Pickett, the commanding general, over modifications in the plan of attack drawn up by Hoke. Following the Confederate failure to recapture New Bern, Hoke remained at Kinston in eastern North Carolina while he made preparations for another attempt to recapture the eastern part of the state from the Union forces. Although in Kinston for only one month Hoke proved his ability to successfully carry out an independent command as he recruited, trained, and drilled his men for the upcoming attack. When this endeavor was carried out in April, 1864, Hoke with the assistance of the famous Albemarle, captured Union held towns of Plymouth and Washington. Here once again Hoke showed his ability to plan and coordinate military operations, successfully an independent command, Hoke was promoted to major general shortly after his capture of Plymouth. By proving his ability to handle Unfortunately, before he was able to recapture New Bern, Hoke was ordered to return to Virginia to assist in the defense of Richmond. For the next ten months Hoke remained with the Army of Northern Virginia, but then returned to North Carolina in December, 1864, to aid in the defense of Wilmington. Here Hoke proved his competence in the area of correctly anticipating the possible movements of the Union forces. In this instance, after General Benjamin Butler's unsuccessful effort to capture Fort Fisher, Hoke concluded that it was likely that the Union forces would make another attack and therefore it would be advantageous if he would entrench his main units at Sugar Loaf, while sending other reinforcements for Colonel Lamb at Fort Fisher. Unfortunately General Bragg disagreed and Hoke was ordered to Wilmington for a grand review of the troops. Thus when the second attack anticipated by Hoke came in January, 1865, Hoke's division was not in a position to counter it, and Fort Fisher fell. Following the fall of Fort Fisher, Hoke commanded the Confederate troops in the defense of Wilmington, but heavy Union reinforcements made it impossible for Hoke to retain control of the town, and Wilmington was evacuated. Hoke was then ordered to Kinston where he was engaged in the Battle for Wise Fork. In this operation the Confederates were unable to block the Union movement on Goldsboro, but Hoke did succeed in delaying the Union forces long enough to allow General Joseph E. Johnston to organize an attempt to stop the advance of General William T. Sherman. Once again Hoke proved his ability as a battlefield commander. After the Battle of Wise Fork, Hoke joined the hastily gathered army of General Johnston. Bentonville, Hoke was assigned the strategic position of straddling the Goldsboro road along the line of the main At the Battle of Union advance. Once again Hoke rose to the occasion when his men successfully stopped a strong Union attack even before badly needed reinforcements arrived. At Bentonville, Hoke saw an opportunity for his men to assault a gap in the Union line, but unfortunately Bragg rejected Hoke's recommendation and ordered a frontal assault which produced bloody losses but accomplished little. Hoke once again proved his capability to judge correctly the proper military tactics to use. After the war General Johnston specifically stated that he wished he had sent Bragg to Raleigh leaving Hoke in full charge of the division at Bentonville. Following Johnston's unsuccessful attempt to stop Sherman, Hoke retreated first to Smithfield and then passed through Raleigh, remaining with General Joe Johnston until the final surrender of the entire army in April, 1865. Although very young and not a professional soldier General Hoke was very popular and deeply respected by those who served under him. He won the confidence and respect of his superiors, including General Lee. It is without question that General Hoke was a Confederate Civil War leader with superlative military abilities. Although on occasion he experienced difficulty in interacting harmoniously with his commanding officers arid his peers, nevertheless he played a major role in the Civil War in North Carolina, and he must be considered one of the better military leaders of the Confederacy. |
