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Andrew Duppstadt, Education & Interpretation Supervisor, NC Historic Sites, September 15, 2021, Kinston, NC—On Saturday, September 4, the CSS Neuse Civil War Interpretive Center opened a new temporary exhibit titled, “Lt. Francis Lyell Hoge, CSN: ‘An Able and True Officer’.” The exhibit is based on the article of the same title published in the Fall 2019 issue of Civil War Navy—The Magazine, by Duppstadt, who also curated the exhibit.

Artifacts for the exhibit (as shown in the published article) were loaned to the museum by Hoge descendant Laurence Evans II of Glen Dale, WV. Hoge served as the executive officer of the CSS Neuse from February 1864 until the ship’s scuttling in March 1865. Hoge participated in the attacks on the Union vessels Reliance and Underwriter. The story of his life prior to and following his time on CSS Neuse is very interesting, and the museum is happy to help share his story.

Along with the exhibit’s unveiling, Duppstadt gave a presentation about Hoge’s life to an audience of 13 museum guests. The exhibit will remain in the museum until mid to late June 2022.

Lt. Francis Lyell Hoge, CSN exhibit curated by Andrew Duppstadt.

Close up view of the Hoge exhibit which includes his sword and scabbard, his commission certificate as a Passed Midshipman upon graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy in June 1860, and his 1849 Colt pocket model .31-caliber, cap-and-ball revolver, powder flask, shoulder strap, and presidential commission appointing Hoge a lieutenant in the Confederate States Navy, as well as a number of other memorabilia related to his naval service and personal life.