Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1862-08-15

Assassination f Cehcrzl Eled Adaaz.
G neral Robert McCook, was murdered
near Selma, Alabama, on the 9th inst
lie was sick. and was riding IN an ambu-
lance in advance of his Brigade. with
small escort. lie inquired at house for
q good place TO camp. The inmates gave
directions, which he followed, ana was sur
rounded by guerrilla band. one Of whom
reached a pistol into the ambulance and
shot him in the side. The guerrillas then
captured several Of his escort and escaped
Those of the escort who were not taken,
gave the alarm to the brigade as soon as
possible; he lived several hours. after be
ing wounded his remains were brought
to Cincinnati for interment. General
McCook was g native of Jefferson county,
in this State, and at the time of his death
in bis thirtv-tifth year.
The following arc additional particulars
Of the sad catastrophe, ending Gen. Ne
Cooks earthly career
The General was not riding in advance
of his whole brigade, Int between the
several regiments composing it. The 18th
regulars aud part Of the 1st Ohio Cav
airy, had passed over the road ahead of
him. The rebel assassins lay in waiting
in brush adjoining the road all the morn
inc, and managed to remain undiscovered
bv the advance body OF the brigade. Ii
is supposed that they were fully apprised
bv citizen spies, Of the Generals helpless
condition aud mode of travelling, and
formed an ambush for the special purpose
Of his assassination. They were about 81
strong, and partly composed OF Forrest 5
CavaIH-, and partly Of residents Of the
vicinity The individual who shot the
General l. known to be one OF the latter.
The General was accompanied by his
usual escort Of twelve OF the 1st Ohio
Cavalry. or the day of his death. Unfor-
tuuately, just before the guerrillas COM
manced their work. lie sent three Of these
with orders to different portions Of the
brigade. At the time the attack WAS
made, three Others were oil the rood. look
ing ont fcr a camping ground. Tie es-
cort was thus reduced 10 six. OF this
corro-aI's guard five started to run after
the first shot from the rebels. In vain did
the remaining one call upon them not to
net like towards, hut stand and defend
their General In vain did the latter
himself order them to rally in the road be-
tween the rucrrllcs and his vehicle, 50
as 10 give him time 10 get a start. They
/ followed their craven instincts, and sacri-
! feed their General The brave sixth man
stood alone, and was wounded and captur-
ed. The General was riding in spring
wagon md living down.
Capti:a Hunter Brooks, was riding
with the General who. owing 10 l,is Zee
/ ble condition, was lying in the bottom OF
/ the box. When the guerTillas opened firs
/ upon the convcvan-s, Gen. McCooll al
+ once exclaimed, The bushwhackers arr
upon u.s. ordered the driver, his negro
/ servant, John To turn quickly around, anC
/ rose to his knees to assist him in holding
! the frightened horses. The team was Just
/ fairly started, when the murderer Of th'
/ General came up and ordered it to halt
/ 1t being impossible to check the spirited
+ horses at once, the team kept moTinC
when the guerrilla again ordered it I,
halt, but almost instantaneously fired tn,
fatal shot from his carbine, although Cap
! tain Brooks begged him MOTTO fire upon
+, sick man. Another rebel rode mp at tho
same time aud aimed his gun. when Tho
/ General told him reproachfully, "Yo,
! needn't shoot, / am fatally wounded -
The main body of the rebels pursued
the flying escort, and but three or four re
mained with their victim. The Genera
was driven TO and taken into the house, a
which he died, by Captain Brooke ano
John. In a few minutes those that had
gone in pursuit, came tearing back, and
hurried off with Captain Brooks John
/ upon the advice Of the General, had pre-
/ viously managed to escape out Of th'
house and through corn field Shortly
afterwards Capt. Burt and party arrived
The General lived about twentv-ioH1
hours after being wounded. lie was con
scious TO the last. although frequently un-
! able to speak from the dreadful pain h,
was suffering.
/ The whole brigade arrived at the hous'
about an hour after lie was wounded. I'ht
men came up in donble-quicE, painting
and sI4es;ting for vengeance. The effec
Of the sad sight of their mortally wound
ed General upon them was most distress
ing, The brigade did not resume its marcl
until the General had breath his last.