North Carolina in the Civil War

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North Carolina in the Civil War

North Carolina in the Civil War

The story of North Carolina in the American Civil War is one of divided loyalties, strategic importance, and ultimately, significant contribution to the Confederate cause, despite initial reluctance. The state’s journey through the war years, from 1861 to 1865, reveals a complex tapestry of political maneuvering, military engagements, and profound social impact.

Reluctant Secession

Following the commencement of the Civil War, North Carolina made a momentous decision to align itself with the Confederacy on May 20, 1861. However, it is essential to note that this decision was not made without hesitation. In fact, North Carolina was the second-to-last state to secede from the Union, highlighting the internal divisions and conflicting sentiments of its population.

The reluctance to secede stemmed from a significant portion of the population harboring divided loyalties between the North and the South. This internal conflict persisted throughout the war, shaping the state’s trajectory and influencing its role in the conflict.

While seven states seceded in direct response to Abraham Lincoln’s presidential election, North Carolina initially chose to remain within the Union, alongside Virginia, Tennessee, and Arkansas. However, the attack on Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina, in April 1861, served as a catalyst for change. This pivotal event prompted North Carolina to reconsider its position, ultimately leading it to join the Confederacy rather than engage in armed conflict against its neighboring states.

A State Divided

North Carolina’s population was deeply divided in their loyalties, a factor that colored the state’s entire war experience. While the majority of white men aged 15 to 49 served in the Confederate Army—nearly 125,000 out of approximately 150,000—a significant number, around 24,000, deserted their units. This desertion rate reflects the disillusionment and internal conflict experienced by many North Carolinians.

Tragically, between 33,000 and 35,000 North Carolinians perished in battle or succumbed to wounds and disease during the war. However, it is essential to recognize that not all North Carolinians aligned with the Confederacy. Approximately 10,000 white and 5,000 black North Carolinians joined Union army units, actively fighting against the Confederacy. Moreover, numerous individuals resisted conscription into Confederate military service, refusing to support the state’s war efforts through taxes or material contributions.

The internal tensions between Unionists and Confederate forces escalated, leading to two horrific mass killings. In Madison County, in early 1863, members of the 64th North Carolina Infantry brutally murdered 13 citizens suspected of being Unionists and deserters. A year later, Major General George E. Pickett infamously hanged 22 North Carolinians who had been captured fighting for the Union after deserting the Confederacy. These incidents serve as stark reminders of the brutal and divisive nature of the conflict within the state.

Military Campaigns and Battles

North Carolina’s strategic location made it a crucial battleground throughout the Civil War. Sporadic fighting commenced in September 1861 when Union Major General Ambrose Burnside initiated efforts to capture key ports and cities, most notably Roanoke Island and New Bern.

As the war progressed, the Confederates launched offensives, temporarily reclaiming Plymouth in 1864. Simultaneously, the Union army made repeated attempts to seize Fort Fisher, a critical Confederate stronghold guarding Wilmington, the South’s last major open seaport on the Atlantic coast.

In a significant turn of events, one of the last remaining major Confederate armies, led by General Joseph E. Johnston, surrendered near Bennett Place to Union General William Sherman. This surrender spared North Carolina from the extensive destruction that Sherman had inflicted upon South Carolina, marking a turning point in the state’s wartime experience.

Key Battles and Campaigns in North Carolina

  • Blockade of the Carolina Coast (August-December 1861): The Union’s naval blockade aimed to cripple the Confederacy’s ability to trade. Proclaimed by President Lincoln in April 1861, it required monitoring over 3,000 miles of coastline.

  • Hatteras Inlet Batteries (August 28-29, 1861): A Union amphibious expedition captured Hatteras Inlet, a crucial haven for blockade runners. The Union victory led to minimal casualties on their side, while the Confederates suffered significant losses.

  • Burnside’s North Carolina Expedition (January-July 1862): This series of engagements targeted blockade-running ports along the North Carolina coast. The amphibious operation was led by Brigadier General Ambrose E. Burnside and assisted by the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron.

  • Roanoke Island (February 7-8, 1862): Union forces secured an important outpost on the Atlantic Coast, tightening the blockade. The Confederate commander surrendered a significant number of soldiers and guns, marking a decisive Union victory.

  • New Berne (March 14, 1862): Union forces captured nine forts and 41 heavy guns, establishing a base they held for the remainder of the war. Despite Confederate attempts to recover the town, the Union maintained control.

  • Fort Macon (March 23-April 26, 1862): A Union siege of Fort Macon led to the breaching of its masonry walls, demonstrating the vulnerability of such forts against rifled artillery. The Confederate forces surrendered, resulting in a Union victory.

  • South Mills (April 19, 1862): An inconclusive battle that was part of Burnside’s North Carolina Expedition. The Union forces ultimately abandoned their expedition and withdrew.

  • Tranter’s Creek (June 5, 1862): A Union reconnaissance mission led to a victory at Tranter’s Creek, resulting in the retreat of Confederate troops.

  • Goldsborough Expedition (December 1862): Union General John G. Foster initiated a series of battles from New Bern to Goldsboro, aiming to disrupt the Wilmington & Weldon Railroad and support Union operations in Virginia.

  • Kinston (December 14, 1862): The first battle of the Goldsborough Expedition, where Union forces disrupted Confederate defenses near Kinston Bridge.

  • White Hall (December 16, 1862): An inconclusive battle as part of the Goldsborough Expedition, with Union forces attempting to fix Confederate positions.

  • Goldsborough Bridge (December 17, 1862): Union forces destroyed the Goldsborough Bridge, disrupting Confederate supply lines, before returning to New Bern.

  • Longstreet’s Tidewater Operations (February-May 1863): Confederate Lieutenant General James Longstreet aimed to protect Richmond, support the Army of Northern Virginia, gather supplies, and recapture forts along the coast.

  • Fort Anderson (March 13-15, 1863): A Union victory that resulted from Confederate attempts to advance on New Berne, ultimately leading to a retreat.

  • Washington (March 30-April 20, 1863): An inconclusive battle as Confederate forces attempted to besiege the Federal garrison of Washington, North Carolina.

  • Operations Against Plymouth (April-May 1864): Confederate forces temporarily recaptured Plymouth, but Union forces regained control after the destruction of the Confederate Ironclad Albemarle.

  • Plymouth (April 17-20, 1864): Confederate forces, in a combined operation, captured the Federal garrison at Plymouth, resulting in significant casualties for both sides.

  • Albemarle Sound (May 5, 1864): An inconclusive naval battle between the Confederate ship Albemarle and Union blockading ships.

  • Expedition against Fort Fisher (December 1864): Union forces attempted to capture Fort Fisher but were initially unsuccessful due to Confederate defenses.

  • Fort Fisher (December 7-27, 1864): A Confederate victory as Union forces failed to capture Fort Fisher, which protected Wilmington.

  • Operations Against Fort Fisher and Wilmington (January-February 1865): Union forces renewed their efforts to capture Fort Fisher and Wilmington, leading to a series of battles and ultimately securing the port.

  • Fort Fisher (January 13-15, 1865): Union forces successfully captured Fort Fisher after a renewed assault, opening the way for a Federal thrust against Wilmington.

  • Wilmington (February 12-22, 1865): Union forces captured Wilmington after a series of maneuvers, leading to the evacuation of Confederate troops and the burning of supplies.

  • Campaign of the Carolinas (February-April 1865): Union General William Tecumseh Sherman advanced through the Carolinas, ultimately leading to the defeat and surrender of Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston’s army.

  • Wyse Fork (March 7-10, 1865): A Union victory that contributed to the fall of Kinston and disrupted Confederate defenses.

  • Monroe’s Cross (March 10, 1865): An inconclusive battle between Union and Confederate cavalry forces, resulting in casualties on both sides.

  • Averasborough (March 16, 1865): An inconclusive battle as Confederate forces held up the Union advance for nearly two days before retreating.

  • Bentonville (March 19-21, 1865): A Union victory that marked the loss of the final major army of the Confederacy. Confederate forces attacked Union positions but were ultimately forced to retreat.

Conclusion

North Carolina’s involvement in the Civil War was a complex and transformative period in the state’s history. From its initial reluctance to secede to its significant contributions to the Confederate cause, North Carolina played a pivotal role in the conflict. The battles fought on its soil, the divided loyalties of its people, and the ultimate surrender of Confederate forces within its borders all contributed to the lasting legacy of the Civil War in North Carolina.

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