Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1864-05-05
Commander Jamt. w. Cook, c. $. N.

This fearless efficient ard gallant officer, who COM
manded the iron-cad ram Albemarle" in the recent
bombardment and capture of Plymouth, entered the
Navy of the United States in April 1929 and that Of
the Contderacy in September 1852. In the former,
he saw nearly sixteen years service and wards
eight years shore duty making about twenty four years
of active official employ ment. He is, like Maj Gen
eral Hoke son of the old North State-heroes both
in their respective spheres. Previous to the present
war Lieut. Cooke owned a comfortable estate in Vir-
einia-where be marred,-which waslthe accumulation
of his own energy. Commander Cooke has lest all be
possessed but the certainty of this in prospect did not
prevent him following the dictates of bis of duty
and so soon as the Old Dominion passed her act of
cesson be offered his services to the home of bis adop
ton, ard was appointed by Virginia Lieutenant in
the Navy.
He stood at the bead of eutenants in the old service
which be relirqushed when his commission as Ocm-
mander had been made out in Washington City. So
soon as North Carolina withdrew from the corrupt and
dismembered Union Cooke resigned the commission he
had received from the State Of Virginia and offered
his eervices to this his native State, which were
cepted Subsequently he appointed Lieutenant
in the Navy OF the Confederacy, the same rank and
position held by him in the old Navy, from which be
was advanced 10 bis resent rank OF Commander by
seniority of commission not for gallant and meritorious
services though justly entitled to promotion for SUCH
Lieut. Cooke was engaged in duty in tie force com
manded by Flag Officer Lynch, operating about Roa-
noke Island, and IN tie engagement near Elizabeth
City bis command ws captured by greatly superior
force of the enemy.
Before departing ios the sphere of his contemplated
operations he required thirteen men, whom he was
ious to procure AS characteristic CT the man, when
in Portsmouth in this State, be procured the town
bell to be rupg by the municipal authority, made
string appeal to the assembled people, to their State
pride and patriotism succeeded in ensting the needed
thirteen volunteers and went on bis way rejoicing In
the engagement alud ed to be wounded in the arm
by minnie ball which disabled it, but he fought with
resoute determination to the last-refusing to haul
down bis flag and resisting with .cutlass upon the
deck of his vesse until overpowered. After brieI
captivity he ,arolled and subsequently ordered to
river detences in North CAROLINA and superntended tie
completion of TIE iron.clad ram Albemare, 10 com
mand of which -essel be was placed.
His tficient and gallant bearing in the recent bonn
bardment and capture of Plymouth freeh in the
minds of the people. By the law of proportion aud the
usage which his been naugrated by the government
at Richmond, Comrlander JAMES w. Cooke is enti-
tied to promotion. Governor VANCE could not do q
popular at, just and merited, together with
the delegation fpm the State of North .Csrona,-than
to present and urge the claims of its gallant son to the
notice OF the proper Department, and that justice
is meted out to brave man as ever walked the
deck of ship. Az Others have been promoted for like
conduct and some because others have been placed
above Them the law of proportion to which reference
has been made requires Commander Cocks promo
ton.
Full of erergy-res olute, bold, brave and daring
devoted to he common cause-his efficient coopera.
ton in thecaptnre of Plymouth well the fearless
bearing b. exhibited in the engagement Elizabeth
City, afGd an earness of what be will de when the
is presen ted. General Hoke has been
promoted. Let the "a me be done in the case of CON-
mandes Cooke They are both men of whom North
Carolina may be justly proud, and whom the Confed
9racy will rejoice to see equally honored. -