iron mine manager then chairman, water company president, real estate agent, railroad president
Robert Frederick Hoke (May 27, 1837 – July 3, 1912) was a Confederate major general during the American Civil War. He was present at one of the earliest battles, the Battle of Big Bethel, where he was commended for coolness and judgment. Wounded at Chancellorsville, he recovered in time for the defense of Petersburg and Richmond. His brigade distinguished itself at Cold Harbor (June 1864), acknowledged by Grant as his most costly defeat. Hoke was later a businessman and railroad executive.
Early life and career
Robert Frederick Hoke was born in Lincolnton, North Carolina, the son of Michael and Frances Burton Hoke. He had a younger sister Mary. Their father was a lawyer, orator, and unsuccessful Democratic nominee for Governor of North Carolina in 1844. Michael Hoke died shortly after losing that election.[1] His death "had lasting effects" on Robert Hoke's political viewpoint.
The son disliked politics and avoided involvement, later rejecting the offer of the governor's position. Robert Hoke was educated at the Pleasant Retreat Academy. He next studied at the Kentucky Military Institute, graduating in 1854. Hoke returned to Lincolnton, where he managed various family business interests for his widowed mother, including a cotton mill and iron works.[2]
Hoke was promoted to brigadier general on January 17, 1863,[4] and assigned permanent command of Trimble's brigade, which was composed of five North Carolina regiments. He was severely wounded defending Marye's Heights while the majority of the armies fought at the Battle of Chancellorsville and was sent home to recuperate. Command of his brigade passed to Col. Isaac E. Avery. Hoke missed the rest of the year's campaigns.
1864–65
Hoke resumed command of his brigade at Petersburg, Virginia, in January 1864, and led it to North Carolina, where he organized attacks on New Bern and Plymouth. In February, troops under Hoke's command executed twenty two Union soldiers of the 2nd North Carolina Union Volunteer Infantry Regiment by hanging at Kinston, North Carolina.[5] These men had been captured in the Battle of New Bern, and were found to have previously served in North Carolina Partisan Ranger units. General George Pickett ordered that they should be court martialed for desertion from the Confederate Army, and the subsequent hangings were carried out by the 54th Regiment, North Carolina Troops of Hoke's brigade. In the Battle of Plymouth on April 17, Hoke captured a garrison of 2,834 Union soldiers.[3] The Confederate Congress voted May 17 to extend its thanks for the action of Hoke and his men at Plymouth.[6] Hoke was promoted to major general on April 23, 1864 (ranking from April 20),[3] and was given command of what was called Hoke's Division in the Department of North Carolina and Southern Virginia.[4] He and his troops were summoned to Virginia in May when the Union Army of the James threatened Richmond and Petersburg.[2] 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 sent to North Carolina when the state 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.[2]
Hoke surrendered along with Joseph E. Johnston's army at Bennett Place near Durham and was paroled on May 1, 1865. He was pardoned by the U.S. government on June 14, 1865.[7]
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 Carolina, and another one in Mitchell County. He also served as the director of the North Carolina Railroad for many years. Railroad construction was creating new networks across the South, and new opportunities for business.[2]
With his success in the war and business, politicians tried to recruit Hoke to office, even offering him the position of governor of the state. He declined, having permanently turned away from politics as a child after his father's death. His nephew Hoke Smith served as secretary of the interior, and then as governor and a senator from Georgia.
