Capture of Plymouth explained

Conflict:	Capture of Plymouth
Partof:	the American Civil War
Date:	October 29–31, 1864
Place:	Plymouth, North Carolina, Roanoke River, Middle River
Result:	United States victory
Combatant1:	United States
Combatant2:	Confederate States
Commander1:	William H. Macomb William B. Cushing
Commander2:	unknown
Strength1:	9 gunboats 1 torpedo boat
Strength2:	3,500 22 artillery pieces 3 shore batteries
Casualties1:	6 killed 9 wounded 3 gunboats damaged
Casualties2:	37 captured 22 artillery pieces captured 3 shore batteries captured

The Capture of Plymouth was a battle of the American Civil War, fought in October 1864. Following the sinking of CSS Albemarle during a commando raid led by Lieutenant William B. Cushing, Union naval forces attacked Plymouth, North Carolina, which was defended by Confederate artillery. After three days of fighting, the Confederates retreated from the area, allowing the Union navy to land men and occupy the town.^[1]

Order of battle

United States Navy:

• USS Wyalusing, gunboat, 1,173 tons, 14 guns
• USS Shamrock, gunboat, 974 tons, 11 guns, flagship
• USS Otsego, gunboat, 974 tons, 10 guns
• USS Tacony, gunboat, 974 tons, 9 guns
• USS Chicopee, gunboat, 974 tons, 10 guns
• USS Commodore Hull, gunboat, 376 tons, 6 guns
• USS Valley City, gunboat, 190 tons, 4 guns
• USS Whitehead, gunboat, 136 tons, 1 gun
• USS Bazely, gunboat, 50 tons
• USS Belle, torpedo boat, 52 tons, 2 guns, 1 spar torpedo

See also

• Naval battles of the American Civil War

References

• Book: United States. Navy Dept, United States. Naval War Records Office . 1990 . Official records of the Union and Confederate navies in the war of the rebellion . US Government Printing Office . University of Michigan.

Notes and References

1. United States. Navy Dept, United States. Naval War Records Office, pg. 12–27