Robert Hoke
Encyclopedia
Robert Frederick Hoke was an American businessman, railroad executive, and a Confederate Army
general during the American Civil War
. Hoke and his division played a decisive role during the Battle of Cold Harbor
in 1864.
, the son of Michael and Frances Burton Hoke. His father was a lawyer, orator, and unsuccessful Democratic nominee for Governor of North Carolina
in 1844, who died shortly after losing that election. His death "had lasting effects" on Robert Hoke's political viewpoint. He disliked politics and avoided involvement, rejecting the offer of the state's highest office, which was, coincidentally, the same office his father died trying to attain. Robert was educated at the Lincolnton Academy. His sister, Mary, was the mother of M. Hoke Smith. He was the second cousin of Confederate generals John Horace Forney
, William H. Forney
, and Robert Daniel Johnston
.
After graduating from the Kentucky Military Institute
in 1854, he returned home to manage various family business interests, including a cotton mill and iron works, for his widowed mother.
from the Union
, Hoke enlisted in Company K of the 1st North Carolina Infantry and was commissioned as a second lieutenant
. Within months, he was promoted to captain and was commended for "coolness, judgment and efficiency" in D. H. Hill's report of the Battle of Big Bethel
. He was subsequently promoted to major
in September.
Following the reorganization of North Carolina troops, Hoke was appointed as the lieutenant colonel
of the 33rd North Carolina Regiment. He was cited for his gallantry at the Battle of New Bern
in March 1862, where he assumed command of the regiment following the capture of its colonel, C. M. Avery. He led the 33rd throughout the Peninsula Campaign
as a part of Lawrence O. Branch's brigade
. Hoke was promoted to colonel before the Northern Virginia Campaign
and fought at the Second Battle of Bull Run
, in addition to the Maryland Campaign
at the Battle of Antietam
.
Upon Colonel Avery's return from captivity, Hoke was assigned as commander of the 21st North Carolina in Isaac Trimble's brigade in Jubal Early's division. Hoke commanded the brigade at the Battle of Fredericksburg
and helped repulse an attack by Union
forces under Maj. Gen.
George G. Meade. Hoke was promoted to brigadier general on January 17, 1863, and assigned permanent command of Trimble's brigade, which was composed of five North Carolina regiments. He was severely wounded defending Marye's Heights in the Battle of Chancellorsville
and sent home to recuperate. Command of his brigade passed to Col. Isaac E. Avery
. Hoke missed the rest of the year's campaigns.
, in January 1864, and led it to North Carolina, where he organized attacks on New Bern
and Plymouth
. In the latter engagement
on April 17, Hoke captured a garrison of 2,834 Union soldiers. The Confederate Congress
voted May 17 to extend its Thanks for the action of Hoke and his men at Plymouth. Hoke was promoted to major general on April 23, 1864 (ranking from April 20), and was given command of what was called Hoke's Division
in the Department of North Carolina and Southern Virginia. His troops were summoned to Virginia in May when the Union Army of the James
threatened Richmond and Petersburg
. Given command of six brigades of infantry, Hoke served with distinction in several actions, including the Battle of Cold Harbor
, where his division played an important role in stopping several Union attacks.
In December, Hoke's division was again sent to North Carolina when the state again was threatened by Union forces. Hoke fought at the defense of Fort Fisher on January 13–15, 1865. He also fought in the Carolinas Campaign
and the Battle of Bentonville
, where he repulsed several attacks by forces under Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman before overwhelming numbers began to push the Confederates back.
Hoke surrendered along with Joseph E. Johnston
's army at Bennett Place
near Durham
and paroled on May 1, 1865. He was pardoned by the U.S. government on June 14, 1865.
and another one in Mitchell County
. He also served as the director of the North Carolina Railroad
for many years. Hoke owned a resort
and a bottled water
company at Lithia Springs in Lincoln County
.
Hoke had Northern ties, marrying Lydia Van Wyck, who was of a prominent political family from New York City
, on January 7, 1869. They had six children, one of whom, Michael Hoke
, became a famous orthopedist in Atlanta, Georgia
and a founder of the Shriner's Children Hospital. One of his brothers-in-law, Robert Van Wyck, was Mayor of New York City
and another, Augustus Van Wyck
, was an unsuccessful candidate for Governor of New York
, losing to Theodore Roosevelt
.
Hoke died in Raleigh, North Carolina, and was buried with full military honors in Historic Oakwood Cemetery
.
, was named in his honor. The Robert F. Hoke Chapter #78 of the United Daughters of the Confederacy
was named for the former general, as was Camp #1616 of the Sons of Confederate Veterans
.
Confederate States Army
The Confederate States Army was the army of the Confederate States of America while the Confederacy existed during the American Civil War. On February 8, 1861, delegates from the seven Deep South states which had already declared their secession from the United States of America adopted the...
general during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. Hoke and his division played a decisive role during the Battle of Cold Harbor
Battle of Cold Harbor
The Battle of Cold Harbor was fought from May 31 to June 12, 1864 . It was one of the final battles of Union Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant's Overland Campaign during the American Civil War, and is remembered as one of American history's bloodiest, most lopsided battles...
in 1864.
Early life and career
Robert Frederick Hoke was born in Lincolnton, North CarolinaLincolnton, North Carolina
Lincolnton is a city in Lincoln County, North Carolina, United States, within the Charlotte metropolitan area. The population was 10,683 at the 2010 census. Lincolnton is located northwest of Charlotte, on the South Fork of the Catawba River, and near the junction of State Highway 27 and U.S. Route...
, the son of Michael and Frances Burton Hoke. His father was a lawyer, orator, and unsuccessful Democratic nominee for Governor of North Carolina
Governor of North Carolina
The Governor of North Carolina is the chief executive of the State of North Carolina, one of the U.S. states. The current governor is Bev Perdue, North Carolina's first female governor.-Powers:...
in 1844, who died shortly after losing that election. His death "had lasting effects" on Robert Hoke's political viewpoint. He disliked politics and avoided involvement, rejecting the offer of the state's highest office, which was, coincidentally, the same office his father died trying to attain. Robert was educated at the Lincolnton Academy. His sister, Mary, was the mother of M. Hoke Smith. He was the second cousin of Confederate generals John Horace Forney
John Horace Forney
John Horace Forney was a major general in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War.-Early life:...
, William H. Forney
William H. Forney
William Henry Forney was a U.S. Representative from Alabama. He was the grandson of Peter Forney and nephew of Daniel Munroe Forney and the brother of John Horace Forney.-Biography:...
, and Robert Daniel Johnston
Robert Daniel Johnston
Robert Daniel Johnston was a brigadier beneral for the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War.-Early life:...
.
After graduating from the Kentucky Military Institute
Kentucky Military Institute
The Kentucky Military Institute was a military preparatory school in Lyndon, Kentucky and Venice, Florida, in operation from 1845 to 1971....
in 1854, he returned home to manage various family business interests, including a cotton mill and iron works, for his widowed mother.
1861–63
With North Carolina's secessionSecession
Secession is the act of withdrawing from an organization, union, or especially a political entity. Threats of secession also can be a strategy for achieving more limited goals.-Secession theory:...
from the Union
Union (American Civil War)
During the American Civil War, the Union was a name used to refer to the federal government of the United States, which was supported by the twenty free states and five border slave states. It was opposed by 11 southern slave states that had declared a secession to join together to form the...
, Hoke enlisted in Company K of the 1st North Carolina Infantry and was commissioned as a second lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces.- United Kingdom and Commonwealth :The rank second lieutenant was introduced throughout the British Army in 1871 to replace the rank of ensign , although it had long been used in the Royal Artillery, Royal...
. Within months, he was promoted to captain and was commended for "coolness, judgment and efficiency" in D. H. Hill's report of the Battle of Big Bethel
Battle of Big Bethel
The Battle of Big Bethel, also known as the Battle of Bethel Church or Great Bethel was one of the earliest land battles of the American Civil War after the surrender of Fort Sumter...
. He was subsequently promoted to major
Major
Major is a rank of commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every military in the world.When used unhyphenated, in conjunction with no other indicator of rank, the term refers to the rank just senior to that of an Army captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel. ...
in September.
Following the reorganization of North Carolina troops, Hoke was appointed as the lieutenant colonel
Lieutenant colonel
Lieutenant colonel is a rank of commissioned officer in the armies and most marine forces and some air forces of the world, typically ranking above a major and below a colonel. The rank of lieutenant colonel is often shortened to simply "colonel" in conversation and in unofficial correspondence...
of the 33rd North Carolina Regiment. He was cited for his gallantry at the Battle of New Bern
Battle of New Bern
The Battle of New Bern was fought on 14 March 1862, near the city of New Bern, North Carolina, as part of the Burnside Expedition of the American Civil War. The US Army's Coast Division, led by Brigadier General Ambrose E...
in March 1862, where he assumed command of the regiment following the capture of its colonel, C. M. Avery. He led the 33rd throughout the Peninsula Campaign
Peninsula Campaign
The Peninsula Campaign of the American Civil War was a major Union operation launched in southeastern Virginia from March through July 1862, the first large-scale offensive in the Eastern Theater. The operation, commanded by Maj. Gen. George B...
as a part of Lawrence O. Branch's brigade
Brigade
A brigade is a major tactical military formation that is typically composed of two to five battalions, plus supporting elements depending on the era and nationality of a given army and could be perceived as an enlarged/reinforced regiment...
. Hoke was promoted to colonel before the Northern Virginia Campaign
Northern Virginia Campaign
The Northern Virginia Campaign, also known as the Second Bull Run Campaign or Second Manassas Campaign, was a series of battles fought in Virginia during August and September 1862 in the Eastern Theater of the American Civil War. Confederate General Robert E...
and fought at the Second Battle of Bull Run
Second Battle of Bull Run
The Second Battle of Bull Run or Second Manassas was fought August 28–30, 1862, as part of the American Civil War. It was the culmination of an offensive campaign waged by Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia against Union Maj. Gen...
, in addition to the Maryland Campaign
Maryland Campaign
The Maryland Campaign, or the Antietam Campaign is widely considered one of the major turning points of the American Civil War. Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee's first invasion of the North was repulsed by Maj. Gen. George B...
at the Battle of Antietam
Battle of Antietam
The Battle of Antietam , fought on September 17, 1862, near Sharpsburg, Maryland, and Antietam Creek, as part of the Maryland Campaign, was the first major battle in the American Civil War to take place on Northern soil. It was the bloodiest single-day battle in American history, with about 23,000...
.
Upon Colonel Avery's return from captivity, Hoke was assigned as commander of the 21st North Carolina in Isaac Trimble's brigade in Jubal Early's division. Hoke commanded the brigade at the Battle of Fredericksburg
Battle of Fredericksburg
The Battle of Fredericksburg was fought December 11–15, 1862, in and around Fredericksburg, Virginia, between General Robert E. Lee's Confederate Army of Northern Virginia and the Union Army of the Potomac, commanded by Maj. Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside...
and helped repulse an attack by Union
Union Army
The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
forces under Maj. Gen.
Major general (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Marine Corps, and United States Air Force, major general is a two-star general-officer rank, with the pay grade of O-8. Major general ranks above brigadier general and below lieutenant general...
George G. Meade. Hoke was promoted to brigadier general on January 17, 1863, and assigned permanent command of Trimble's brigade, which was composed of five North Carolina regiments. He was severely wounded defending Marye's Heights in the Battle of Chancellorsville
Battle of Chancellorsville
The Battle of Chancellorsville was a major battle of the American Civil War, and the principal engagement of the Chancellorsville Campaign. It was fought from April 30 to May 6, 1863, in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, near the village of Chancellorsville. Two related battles were fought nearby on...
and sent home to recuperate. Command of his brigade passed to Col. Isaac E. Avery
Isaac E. Avery
Isaac Erwin Avery was a planter and an officer in the Confederate States Army. He died at the Battle of Gettysburg during the American Civil War...
. Hoke missed the rest of the year's campaigns.
1864–65
Hoke resumed command of his brigade at Petersburg, VirginiaPetersburg, Virginia
Petersburg is an independent city in Virginia, United States located on the Appomattox River and south of the state capital city of Richmond. The city's population was 32,420 as of 2010, predominantly of African-American ethnicity...
, in January 1864, and led it to North Carolina, where he organized attacks on New Bern
New Bern, North Carolina
New Bern is a city in Craven County, North Carolina with a population of 29,524 as of the 2010 census.. It is located at the confluence of the Trent and the Neuse rivers...
and Plymouth
Plymouth, North Carolina
Plymouth is the largest town in Washington County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 4,107 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Washington County...
. In the latter engagement
Battle of Plymouth (1864)
The Battle of Plymouth was an engagement during the American Civil War that was fought from April 17 through April 20, 1864, in Washington County, North Carolina.-Battle:...
on April 17, Hoke captured a garrison of 2,834 Union soldiers. The Confederate Congress
Congress of the Confederate States
The Congress of the Confederate States was the legislative body of the Confederate States of America, existing during the American Civil War between 1861 and 1865...
voted May 17 to extend its Thanks for the action of Hoke and his men at Plymouth. Hoke was promoted to major general on April 23, 1864 (ranking from April 20), and was given command of what was called Hoke's Division
Division (military)
A division is a large military unit or formation usually consisting of between 10,000 and 20,000 soldiers. In most armies, a division is composed of several regiments or brigades, and in turn several divisions typically make up a corps...
in the Department of North Carolina and Southern Virginia. His troops were summoned to Virginia in May when the Union Army of the James
Army of the James
The Army of the James was a Union Army that was composed of units from the Department of Virginia and North Carolina and served along the James River during the final operations of the American Civil War in Virginia.-History:...
threatened Richmond and Petersburg
Siege of Petersburg
The Richmond–Petersburg Campaign was a series of battles around Petersburg, Virginia, fought from June 9, 1864, to March 25, 1865, during the American Civil War...
. Given command of six brigades of infantry, Hoke served with distinction in several actions, including the Battle of Cold Harbor
Battle of Cold Harbor
The Battle of Cold Harbor was fought from May 31 to June 12, 1864 . It was one of the final battles of Union Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant's Overland Campaign during the American Civil War, and is remembered as one of American history's bloodiest, most lopsided battles...
, where his division played an important role in stopping several Union attacks.
In December, Hoke's division was again sent to North Carolina when the state again was threatened by Union forces. Hoke fought at the defense of Fort Fisher on January 13–15, 1865. He also fought in the Carolinas Campaign
Carolinas Campaign
The Carolinas Campaign was the final campaign in the Western Theater of the American Civil War. In January 1865, Union Maj. Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman advanced north from Savannah, Georgia, through the Carolinas, with the intention of linking up with Union forces in Virginia. The defeat of ...
and the Battle of Bentonville
Battle of Bentonville
At 3 p.m., Confederate infantry from the Army of Tennessee launched an attack and drove the Union left flank back in confusion, nearly capturing Carlin in the process and overrunning the XIV Corps field hospital. Confederates under Maj. Gen. D.H. Hill filled the vacuum left by the retreating...
, where he repulsed several attacks by forces under Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman before overwhelming numbers began to push the Confederates back.
Hoke surrendered along with Joseph E. Johnston
Joseph E. Johnston
Joseph Eggleston Johnston was a career U.S. Army officer, serving with distinction in the Mexican-American War and Seminole Wars, and was also one of the most senior general officers in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War...
's army at Bennett Place
Bennett Place
Bennett Place, sometimes known as Bennett Farm, in Durham, North Carolina was the site of the largest surrender of Confederate soldiers ending the American Civil War, on April 26, 1865.-History:...
near Durham
Durham, North Carolina
Durham is a city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is the county seat of Durham County and also extends into Wake County. It is the fifth-largest city in the state, and the 85th-largest in the United States by population, with 228,330 residents as of the 2010 United States census...
and paroled on May 1, 1865. He was pardoned by the U.S. government on June 14, 1865.
Postbellum activities
After the war, Hoke returned to civilian life and engaged in various businesses, including insurance and gold mining. He became principal owner of an iron mine near Chapel Hill, North CarolinaChapel Hill, North Carolina
Chapel Hill is a town in Orange County, North Carolina, United States and the home of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and UNC Health Care...
and another one in Mitchell County
Mitchell County, North Carolina
-National protected areas:* Blue Ridge Parkway * Pisgah National Forest -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 15,687 people, 6,551 households, and 4,736 families residing in the county. The population density was 71 people per square mile . There were 7,919 housing units at an...
. He also served as the director of the North Carolina Railroad
North Carolina Railroad
The North Carolina Railroad is a state-owned rail corridor extending from Morehead City, North Carolina to Charlotte, North Carolina. The railroad carries over seventy freight trains and eight passenger trains daily...
for many years. Hoke owned a resort
Resort
A resort is a place used for relaxation or recreation, attracting visitors for holidays or vacations. Resorts are places, towns or sometimes commercial establishment operated by a single company....
and a bottled water
Bottled water
Bottled water is drinking water packaged in plastic or glass water bottles. Bottled water may be carbonated or not...
company at Lithia Springs in Lincoln County
Lincoln County, North Carolina
-Demographics:As of the census of 2010, there were 71,498 people, 24,041 households, and 18,174 families residing in the county. The population density was 214 people per square mile . There were 25,717 housing units at an average density of 86 per square mile...
.
Hoke had Northern ties, marrying Lydia Van Wyck, who was of a prominent political family from New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, on January 7, 1869. They had six children, one of whom, Michael Hoke
Michael Hoke
Michael Hoke was a leading orthopedic surgeon who pioneered the advance of the science for disabled children throughout the United States....
, became a famous orthopedist in Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
and a founder of the Shriner's Children Hospital. One of his brothers-in-law, Robert Van Wyck, was Mayor of New York City
Mayor of New York City
The Mayor of the City of New York is head of the executive branch of New York City's government. The mayor's office administers all city services, public property, police and fire protection, most public agencies, and enforces all city and state laws within New York City.The budget overseen by the...
and another, Augustus Van Wyck
Augustus Van Wyck
Augustus Van Wyck was a Supreme Court Justice of Brooklyn, New York. In 1898 he received the Democratic Nomination for New York State governor against the Republican choice, Theodore Roosevelt.- Background :...
, was an unsuccessful candidate for Governor of New York
Governor of New York
The Governor of the State of New York is the chief executive of the State of New York. The governor is the head of the executive branch of New York's state government and the commander-in-chief of the state's military and naval forces. The officeholder is afforded the courtesy title of His/Her...
, losing to Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt was the 26th President of the United States . He is noted for his exuberant personality, range of interests and achievements, and his leadership of the Progressive Movement, as well as his "cowboy" persona and robust masculinity...
.
Hoke died in Raleigh, North Carolina, and was buried with full military honors in Historic Oakwood Cemetery
Historic Oakwood Cemetery
Historic Oakwood Cemetery was founded in 1869 in Raleigh, North Carolina near the North Carolina State Capitol in Historic Oakwood. Historic Oakwood Cemetery contains two special areas within its , the Confederate Cemetery, located on the original two and one-half acres , and the Hebrew Cemetery,...
.
In memoriam
Before his death, Hoke County, North CarolinaHoke County, North Carolina
-Demographics:As of the census of 2010, there were 46,952 people, 11,373 households, and 8,745 families residing in the county. The population density was 86 people per square mile . There were 12,518 housing units at an average density of 32 per square mile...
, was named in his honor. The Robert F. Hoke Chapter #78 of the United Daughters of the Confederacy
United Daughters of the Confederacy
The United Daughters of the Confederacy is a women's heritage association dedicated to honoring the memory of those who served in the military and died in service to the Confederate States of America . UDC began as the National Association of the Daughters of the Confederacy, organized in 1894 by...
was named for the former general, as was Camp #1616 of the Sons of Confederate Veterans
Sons of Confederate Veterans
Sons of Confederate Veterans is an American national heritage organization with members in all fifty states and in almost a dozen countries in Europe, Australia and South America...
.
See also
- List of American Civil War generals
Further reading
- Barefoot, Daniel, General Robert F. Hoke: Lee's Modest Warrior, John F. Blair Publisher, 2001, ISBN 978-0895872371.