April 17, 1864: Confederates Attack Plymouth, North Carolina

APRIL 17TH, 1864:  Confederate troops launched a sustained attack on Plymouth, North Carolina.  Union gunboats moved to support their troops ashore and were promptly taken under fire bu the Southern batteries.  Next day, the fighting at Plymouth intensified as the Confederates pressed  the assault.

The Union Army steamer Bombshell, commanded temporarily by Acting Ensign Thomas B. Stokes, was sunk during the action, but at 9 o'clock in the evening, the Southern advance had been halted.

Lieutenant Commander Flusser reported:  "The Southfield and Miami took part and the general says our firing was admirable,"  The Southern attack required naval support in order to achieve success, and Flusser added meaningfully:  "The ram [Albemarle] will be down to-night or to-morrow."

--Old B-R'er