Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1862-10-15
WASHINGTON, Oct. &.
MIoR-GEyERAL ]. ID. Coy

y. u. COA-
You have received by telegraph the
announcement of Gen. Cox's promotion
to a Major-G eneralship, in honor of his
ability and gallantry as displayed at South
Mountain and Antietam. You have not
received-simply because the Govern
ment censor would not pass-the addi-
tional announcement that Major-General
Cox has been assigned to his old field in
Western Virginia, and, as is understood,
to the Independent command of that as a
virtually distinct department. Whether
the latter statement be correct or not, 1t
is certain, at any rate, that. as the rank
ing officer there, he will of course have
the command until otherwise ordered.
Gen. Cox's promotion is a deserved tri-
butte, alike to his recent gallantry, and
his long and faithful services Originally
entering the service as the first of the
three Brigadiers Ohio was entitled to I'M
der the seventy-five thousand call, and
the only enc of the three to receive from
the President a re-appointment to the
three years service, General COx's name
stood almost at the head of the Brigadier-
Generals of volunteers on the Army Reg
lister.
His services have been as solid and sub
stantial as they have been long continued.
Entering the Kanawha Valley as General
Mcclellan entered Northwestern Virginia,
he promptly drove Henry A. Wise and
his army from point to point till the strong
position of Gauley Bridge was gained. and
his progress was arrested by riders from
the Headquarters. of the Department.
When Rosecrans renewed active cam
~paigning, Cox held the most responsible
position connected with the new plan of
the campaign, and held it so well, that
on reading one of the dispatches in which
his subordinate modestly announced his
success in foiling the efforts of Floyd and
Wise, General Rosecrans exclaimed: Il
have great hopes of that young man Cox.
He has done admirably so far-better than
| had any right TO expect; and he will yet
win a name for himself and do honor to
the State he FROM"
Condemned to inactivity by the policy
that then forbade pushing for the great
East Tennessee Railroad and breaking up
the link between East and West. Gen.
Cox continued to discharge the less promi-
nent but equally responsible duty of guard
ing the region he had won. Through the
winter and Spring he held the lines
against every rebel attempt till Fremont's
compaign began. In the plans of that
commander for penetrating Southwestern
Virginia and relieving East Tennessee,
the Kanawha Division was allotted a
prominent part.
} As Fremont pushed over the Cheat
Mountain range, Cox advanced toward
the East Tennessee Railroad, and stood
prepared to cooperate in the dashing op-
erations of the Commanding General.
Suddenly Banks was driven out of the
Valley. Fremont was implored to give
up his own movements, leave his Depart
ment, and save the Capital. The whole
plan of the Mountain Department cam
paign was abandoned, and Cox was again
returned to Gauley Bridge, to remain in
obscurity, guarding the Kanawha Valley.
From that fate the renewed distress at
the Capital relieved him, and he was.hur-
riedly ordered forward to REINFORCE Pope.
Thus brought into an active field, he was
long in verifying the old prediction
Roseerans had made. At South Noun
tain his conduct received the warmest
comnendation, and raised him to the
of Reno's corps; and at Antietam
he again displayed alike the most brilliant
yallantry and marked ability. Ohio troops
those battles. under his leadership,
Won fresh ~laurels. and he himself fully
the promotion he has received.
These later honors have somewhat dim
ned his civic reputation, but few Dhioans
will forget that Gen. Cox was one of the
most prominent and able members of the
asst State Senate. and was marked for his
industry as a legislator and his earnest
to Republican principles. :