Colonel of the 21st North Carolina Infantry Regiment

Severely wounded in May 1863 during the Chancellorsville, Virginia campaign

(1837-1912) Born in Lincolnton, North Carolina, he attended the Kentucky Military Institute graduating in 1854. At the outbreak of the Civil War, he was commissioned 2nd lieutenant of the 1st North Carolina Infantry, whom he fought with at the battle of Big Bethel, Va. In his after battle report, General D.H. Hill, commended Hoke for his "coolness, judgment and efficiency" in battle. He was subsequently promoted to major in September 1861, and after the reorganization of the North Carolina troops he was appointed lieutenant colonel of the 33rd North Carolina Infantry. He was commended for his gallantry at the Battle of New Bern, N.C., in March 1862, where he assumed command of the regiment following the capture of its colonel, C. M. Avery. He led the 33rd N.C. Inf. throughout the 1862 Virginia Peninsula Campaign as part of General Lawrence O. Branch's brigade. Hoke was promoted to colonel before fighting in the Northern Virginia Campaign, and also fought at the Second Battle of Manassas, in addition to the 1862 Maryland Campaign, and at the Battle of Sharpsburg. When Colonel Avery returned from captivity, Hoke was assigned as the commander of the 21st North Carolina Infantry in General Isaac Trimble's brigade, in General Jubal Early's division. Hoke commanded the brigade at the Battle of Fredericksburg and helped repulse an attack by Union forces under General George G. Meade. He 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 during the Chancellorsville campaign, and was sent home to convalesce from his wounds. 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 the latter engagement on April 17th, General Hoke captured a garrison of 2,834 Yankee soldiers, and the Confederate Congress issued him and his men the official thanks of congress for their actions at Plymouth. He was promoted to major general on April 23, 1864 and was given command of what was now called Hoke's Division, in the Department of North Carolina and Southern Virginia. He was summoned with his division to Virginia in May when the Union Army of the James threatened Richmond and Petersburg. 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, his division was ordered back to North Carolina when the state was being threatened by advancing Union forces, and he fought in the defense of Fort Fisher, on January 13–15, 1865, and in the 1865 Carolina's Campaign, and at the Battle of Bentonville, where he repulsed several attacks by Federal forces under General William T. Sherman before overwhelming numbers began to push the Confederates back. General Hoke surrendered with General Joseph E. Johnston's army at Bennett Place near Durham, N.C., and was paroled on May 1, 1865. He was pardoned by the U.S. government on June 14, 1865. After the war, he 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. He also owned a resort and bottled water company at Lithia Springs, in Lincoln County, an area that became popular as a summer retreat for families. Hoke died in Raleigh, North Carolina, on July 3, 1912, at the age of 75, and was buried with full military honors in Raleigh's Oakwood Cemetery.

Wet plate, albumen carte de visite photograph, mounted to 2 3/4 x 4 card. Bust view in Confederate uniform with rank of colonel circa 1862. Period ink ID is written on the front mount, "R.F. Hoke, C.S.A." Back mark: E. & H.T. Anthony, 501 Broadway, New York. Excellent condition. Very desirable Confederate general. Scarce.