The National tribune., 1889-08-22
FIGHTING THEM OVER.
What Our Veterans Have to Say About
Their Old Campaigns
BATTLE OF PLYMOUTH.
e.ll.rt Defons, Of the North Carolina Town.

the defense and final capture OF that place
might be Of interest to your readers
Plymouth is located on the south hank OF the
Roanoke River, about eight miles from Its
mouth, and was garrisoned at the time of which
4 write by the S5th n. Y, Col. Fardelloi
IOIst Pa Lieut. Col. Taylor; 1880 Pa, Lieut.
Col Lehman; 10th Conn., Lieut-Coi. Burn
ham; gath N. Y. battery, and one conf
psny OF the 18th N. Y. Cav, about Low
In ali. Brighten. III. w. Vessels, who COM
manded the District of Albemarle, Department
of North Carolina. had his headquarters at
Plymouth Col Lehman Of the l0Sd Pa, being
in immediate command of the post, thus de-
VOlving upon Lieut--Col. Maxwell the command
Of that regiment. Two companies OF infantry
we're stationed at Fort Gray, located on the
bud 81 Warren's Neck, about three miles up
she river This position was cut OF from direct
land communication with the town by an I'M
pSsSable swamp extending southwark from The
river about half 8 mile westward OF the west
end Of the town.
The right Of the line Of defense proper rested
upon this swamp, and was held by the Soth N.
Y, one company Of which occupied Fort IVES
sells. This fort commanded the approaches ny
what was known as the Washington road. Fort
Williams the largest OF the forts the line, was
IA the center, and commanded the Aqua road.
This fort was manned by portion oil the lo1a
Pa, the remainder Of the regiment being on
che line to the right and left. On the left Of
the 1000 was the 10th Conn, and the lolst
Pa. held the LEFT.
line Of strong and carefully constructed
Fihe-pits began st the swamp on the night con-
nccled the forts, and continuing eastward FROM
Fort Williams terminated on q line with the
eastern end OF the town. These earthworks
we're about two miles long, ran parallel to the
river and about three-quariers OF a mile dis
tEnL Between their eastern end ana tine
river there were no Notifications, except two
che
he town, one on either side Of the Columbia
'oad. which enters the town from the east about
midway Of the space ia question. These re-
doubts were occupied By Cos. ID and Z, l0lst
Pa. aud were. with the assistance promised
rom the gunbOats in the river, deemed sum
bent TO defend the place against the attacks
rom the east.
The feet consisted Of the gunboats Miami,
oereS. Whitehead. SoUth6eld. and Bombshen.
and was commanded by Commander
:. W. FlHsseT, than whom q Drawer, more wide
Ewake and energetic officer did not belong TO
she navy.
AZ about D. no. Sunday. April IL. 1854. our
pickets on the Washington road were driven
ln by the advance Of Gen. Hokes Division Of
three brigades Of infantry. besides artillery and
cavalry. making force Of 5000 men. lie al
once opened upon the town. though without
determination, as his FIRST objective seemed TO
be Fort Gray, which he had simultaneously
attacked. The fort, though closely invested
and repeatedly assaulted by greatly superior
numbers, was successfully defended. In this
defense the B0mbshell rendered valuable as
Eistznce until shout dark, when she was dis
Ebied by shot through her 6team-chest. Up-
der cover Of darkness the enemy extended bis
lines and approached within 100 yards Of the
fort, but it held out until late hour on Mon
day, when it was surrendered.
Gen. Hoke consumed the time from Sunday
= 4FFsrF
his lines. placing his batteries IN position and
enoesvOFIng 70 find vulnerable point on our
line. AT the hour named he opened with all
his guns. and this artillery Gre was soon fol-
lowed by the advance or his infantry in charge
upon our entire front This was repulsed With
great loss 10 him. asnyas q second and third at
tack. IN the last Of these charges the enemy
approached so near to our works that at num-
Der Of places hand -grensdes were freely used 20
Fepel bin. During these assaults the guBboats
from above and below the town delivered q
heavy and continuous FIRE upon the enemy,
enhiAding IN part has charging columns thus
contributing material assistance 70 the garrison
M holding Its lines intact.
This failure on his part 10 effect Judgment
within any part Of our lines. convinced Gen.
hOke that Il Was useless 10 make further efforts
from that direction. aHd but for the appearance
Of the ram Aibemarie upon the scene the next
BOrBing the death OF Flusser and the STAN
pede of our feet safe distance. il Is probable
thai be would then have Withdrawn.
The river. however being now clear Of hos
tile guns, and the approaches TO the town from
the east being almost entirely without defensive
works, be Oh Tuesday made detour with the
greater portion Of his force, and formed about
Two miles east Of the town. with his night rest
ing on the river. To meet this Threatened dan
ger the l0lst Pa WAS thrown forward as Skin
misbeFE These skirmislGeTs presented So bold
Act IA. A..
not succeeded In advancing his lines more than
hat q mile.
Late on the previous evening be had bow.
ever. by nBassing on his extreme left-Our lines
having been weakened 70 stay bis ad vance from
the esst, and the men being exhausted by their
continuous Sighting without rest or proper food
for 81 bonTs-6ncceedcd Ia efectinR Judgment
In sach Sd advantageous position, 90 close 10
kOrt Vessels as TO make it wholly nntenable,
and Il was consequently, with portion OF the
6Jth y. Y, surrendered.
Al daylight on Wednesday the enemy opened
with has artillery all along the line; that from
the east euhlading our line south Of the town
that portion which confronted him on the east
being then yet 30 far advanced az 10 escape a
erOss-hre from bis guns On the south. The
lglst Pa was compelled slowly 70 retire, and a
part Of the 18th Conn. EaE sent 20 it's assist
EDce line wac formed. having the redOubts
In its center. This line, after staying the
progress u the enemy for time, Was charged
BY kzasOm's Brigade, which, after loss of up-
wards Of 500 men in killed aud wounded. sue
cseoed In pressing il back and carrying the
redOubts. Oar men, though deprived Of all
defensive w0rkE stubbornly contested every
inch Of the ground, but were compelled 70
yield 70 the greater numbers Of the enemy. Az
be entered the town his right was thrown for
ward, and, wheeling. faced southwark, and
thus advancing, forced our men into and
through their camps, where, with their backs
10 their breastworks, they turned at bay and
compelled him 10 halt.
dc now reformed his lines and charged these
two FegimeutS, or what was left Of them. ia
their CAMPS, which was met by q counter
charge. This WAS twice repeated, each time
ouT force becoming less by captures, dead and
wounded. Finally he succeeded In peneirat-
ing their line, cutting of greater portion of
both regiments, and. being now virtually sur
rounded, they surrendered, bat not until they
had secured their flags from falling into the
hsnds Of the enemy; that of the IGIst Pa. was
separated from lis staff and buried, aud that of
the 10th Conn. was torn 10 pieces, and the
pieces were distributed among the men. These
pieces we're preserved, and after the regiment
returned from prison collected aud put to-
Fether, and this reconstructed flag is now In
the State House at Hartford.l
The enemy having as already stated effected
Judgment on our extreme right be now also
advanced from that direction through the
town; and from every direction his FIRE was
concentrated upon Fort Williams, the only in
closed earthwOrk yet remaining. Being TINS
completely surrounded, and receiving the con
centTated fire OF the enemy's artillery and in
fEDtTg, with about foaF-ffths Of his men al