One of the greatly underrated Confederate generals is Robert Hoke, a son of the Tarheel state, North Carolina.
When his home state seceded from the USA he was 24 years old. He enlisted in the 1st North Carolina Infantry and was elected to captain.
At the Battle of Big Bethel, General D.H. Hill praised Hoke for "coolness, judgment and efficiency". In September, 1861 he earned a promotion to Major.
He was afterwards promoted to Lt. Col. of the 33rd North Carolina Infantry, impressing friend and foe with his gallantry in New Bern. Being now the colonel of the 33rd, since its original was captured in the aforementioned battle, Hoke led the regiment in the Peninsula Campaign under General Lawrence O'Bryan Branch. He also fought with distinction at Second Manassas and Sharpsburg.
When the original commander of the 33rd, a Colonel Avery, returned from captivity, Hoke was transferred in the 21st North Carolina Infantry in Trimble's brigade, Early's division. At the Battle of Fredericksburg, Hoke played a role in repulsing Meade's advance.
At Chancellorsville, he fell wounded defending Marye's Heights and was sent in his home state to recuperate.
In early 1864, Hoke, a brigadier now, took part in the Battle of Plymouth, in his home state, capturing almost 3000 Yankees. In late April, 1864, Hoke was promoted to major general. He was detached, alongside his division, to reinforce General Lee's Army of Northern Virginia, a few days before the Battle of Cold Harbor, where he played a pivotal role in the utter defeat of Grant's attacks.
In December, 1864, Hoke and his men returned in North Carolina. The youthful major general led bravely his troops at Bentonville, repulsing several attacks by the Yankees, until their numerical superiority had the final word.
Hoke surrendered with the rest of Joseph E. Johnston's army.
General Robert Hoke, CSA, I salute you!
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