Robert Frederick Hoke (May 27, 1837 – July 3, 1912) was a Confederate major general during the American Civil War, present at one of the earliest battles, Big Bethel, where he was commended for coolness and judgment. Wounded at Chancellorsville, he recovered in time for the defense of Petersburg and Richmond, when his brigade distinguished itself at Cold Harbor. After the war, Hoke was a businessman and railroad executive.
On January 20, 1864, Robert E. Lee was drafting an order to send General Hoke's brigade down to North Carolina for the attack on New Berne. Suddenly, Lee was interrupted from his writing by the arrival Andries Rhoodie and his AK-47 demonstration. While discussing the new weapon, Rhoodie casually mentioned Lee's directive to Hoke. Lee asked perplexedly how Rhoodie could know of an order not yet given, and Rhoodie simply replied "My comrades and I are well informed in any area we choose." When Major Charles Marshall asked specifically how Rhoodie learned of General Hoke's movements, Rhoodie simply said "I knew. That's enough". He then returned to the matter of shipping repeaters northward from Rivington.[1]
