Plymouth played a
significant role in the Civil War and there is much to see and
learn. The most successful ironclad of the Civil War did battle here
and was eventually destroyed in what The History Channel titled,
“The Most Daring Mission of the Civil War” in their 2005
documentary. It was the last significant Confederate victory of the
war.
An interesting aside is that many people
are unaware of the strong Union sentiment and divided allegiances in
Northeastern North Carolina. Close trading ties with Northern ports
have existed since the area was first settled in the early 1700’s.
As a result, the strategic port of Plymouth, NC became an important
base of operations and recruiting center for the North. In 1862, the
Union Burnside Expedition placed 10,000 Union soldiers in Eastern
North Carolina, 3000 of which were in Plymouth, NC. With occupation
lasting for two years, white Union supporters, Free Blacks, and
plantation 'run-a-ways eagerly enlisted in the Union Army and
Navy.
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