On January 2, 1864, Robert E. Lee wrote: “The time is at hand when, if an attempt can be made to capture the
enemy’s forces at New Berne, it should be done. I can
now spare troops for the purpose, which will not be the case as spring
approaches.”
Lee's proposal led to a large expedition against New Bern led by General George Pickett, an operation detailed in The Fight For the Old North State (Univ. Press of Kansas, 2019). Lee believed success at New Bern would alleviate the supply crisis plaguing his army and quell an emerging peace movement. As N.C. Supreme Court Justice Walter A. Montgomery later wrote:
"A great majority of the people . . . thought that the time had arrived
when the question of peace with the United States government should be
considered. It was thought that the contest was hopeless after the surrender of
Vicksburg and the defeat . . . at Gettysburg, and that the further effusion of
blood and destruction of property should cease.” These developments spurred Confederate leaders to focus on military efforts in North Carolina.
Though the New Bern expedition in February failed, Lee’s plan triggered one of the last successful Confederate offensives, culminating in the capture of Plymouth in April.
The Fight for the Old North State captures the full scope, as well as the dramatic details of this struggle for North Carolina.
Some recent review excerpts from
The Fight For the Old North State:
"... an excellent history of an understudied late-war offensive ... Highly recommended."
-
Civil War Books and Authors blog
"... meticulously researched and confidently written new monograph ...." -
America's Civil War
"
... a detailed, fact-filled journey
through joint land and water operations by the Federals and
Confederates in their struggle for North Carolina during the early part
of 1864 ... recommended." - Joan Wenner, Civil War
News
"Well-researched, well-written, balanced, and
well-illustrated, if this book doesn't win some awards, people simply
aren't paying attention." - Civil War Navy, the History Profession, and Other Historical Musings blog
