At the start of the Civil War Washington was as an important commercial center vital to the economy of the Pamlico basin. Union forces captured and occupied the town without firing a shot during the Burnside Expedition on March 21, 1862, one week after the fall of New Bern. Unopposed they also took Plymouth on May 17th. Although the Federals controlled these cities the surrounding countryside was proConfederate. Several skirmishes were fought in the area including at Tranter’s Creek June 5th; and Rainbow Bend on July 9th. On September 6, 1862, the Rebels tried to retake Washington and failed. During the battle a Federal gunboat, the USS Picket fired on the Confederates and then suddenly exploded killing 20 of the 21 crewmen onboard. This battle is interpreted in the Civil War Trails sign below.
As a result of Brigadier General Robert F. Hoke’s capture of Plymouth on April 20, 1864, the garrison received orders to evacuate the town on April 26. Hoke’s forces laid siege to Washington on April 27. Beginning that night and continuing for the next three days, Federal troops looted and vandalized the town until the last of the Federal troops began boarding about 4:00 PM. Around this time the city broke out in flames. In a letter one resident of the town stated that the soldiers had set fire to some stables on William DeMille’s wharf. It ran up the block, crossed the street at Hoyt’s and almost spread to the woods in an hour. The fire devastated Washington. Many of the town’s finest buildings were lost. Several significant buildings were saved and are shown below.
35.5437222, -77.0583889Castle Island- a four-gun Union battery fired on the town- picture taken from 35.5397624, -77.0544198. The island is just across from the Marsh House.Marsh House- 210 East Water StreetThe Federals used the house for offices and quarters during the Civil War, when Union gunboats shelled the town a cannonball penetrated the house.The cannonball there today was placed there after the war as a symbol of defiance- you can see it at the base of the second floor on the right.Myers House– 214 East Water Street. The oldest building in Washingtonwas also used by the Union for offices and quarters.This house was not hit by a cannonball but one was added at the base of the second floor on the left as a conversation piece.Old Beaufort County Courthouse– 158 N Market StreetWhen the Union captured the town the Federals made all the townspeople watch as the American flag was raised over the courthouse102 West 2nd Street- Isaac Respess mayor of Washington during the Civil War had his office here The Hollyday House- 706 West 2nd Street. One of the few structures to survive the fire when Washington was burned. It was used as a Union hospital during the war.35.5468056, -77.059305635.5459722, -77.060194435.54375, -77.0584722Elmwood- 731 West Main Street- now a Bed and Breakfast the second and third floors served as a hospital during the war. There is a secret passage on the third floor along with scratchings and drawings by soldiers.It was also called Fort Ceres during the war.Fowle House- 412 West Main Street- used as a hospital during the Civil WarHavens Memorial Building- 409 West Main StreetThe Havens House-404 West Main Street- was used as a prison during the Civil WarFowle warehouse– 112 Respess Street– the warehouse survived the firewhen Mr. Fowle and his daughter mustered a bucket brigade from the river after the Union set fire to the town.35.5429722, -77.0572222The Bank of Washington Building– 192 W Main Street. The building is built of block with a brick-lined roof and as a result it did not burn down when the Union fired the town.
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