William James Hoke

He was a merchant, Lincoln County Clerk, and militia officer in Lincolnton, NC before the War. He enrolled as Captain, Company K - the Southern Stars - of the First NC (later called the Bethel Regiment) on 25 April 1861. He was commissioned Colonel of the 38th Regiment North Carolina State Troops on 27 January 1862 as that unit was first organized. He was (re)elected Colonel in the reorganization of 24 April 1862 in lieu of Lieutenant Colonel Thomas S. Kenan, who was first elected Colonel of the 38th, but declined in favor of a commission as Colonel the 43rd Regiment. Hoke was seriously wounded at Ellyson's Mill (or Mechanicsville), Virginia 26 June 1862.

Although shown in some Orders of Battle as in command of the 38th in Maryland, Hoke was on furlough recovering from his wound, and not present on the campaign.

He returned to duty with his regiment on 27 December 1862. He was again wounded at Gettysburg on 3 July 1863. He resigned his commission on 18 June 1864 for reasons of medical disability, and was detailed to duty as Inspector General of North Carolina Reserves. He commanded the post at Charlotte beginning in August 1864, and a brigade of reserves at Salisbury in 1865.

He continued his career as a merchant in Lincolnton, and was Town Clerk until his death five years after War's end.

Service dates and details from Moore's Roster1 and Clark2, with additional information from Colonels3.

10/05/1825; Lincolnton, NC

10/11/1870; Columbia, SC; burial in St. Paul Episcopal Cemetery, Lincolnton, NC