The Weekly Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, O. [Ohio]) 1861-1???, 1865-07-12
OMr Slrxt Governor.
MAJOR GENERAL JOSEPH d. COX.

The Cincinnati Gazette collatcs the fol.
lowing autecedeuts and record Of brilliant
deeds in the career Of the Union candidate
for Governor. from data now being collect.
cd by the publishing house of Moore, Viii
staoh Il Baldwin, of that city, for thoir
forthcoming History of Ohio's Participa-
ton in the War of the Rebellion" AS he
viii undoubtedly he the next in succession
of Ohio's Governors, it is proper that the
people should be made acquainted with his
history and the honorable and distinguished
services lie has rendered his country since
the commencement of the war:
The subject of our sketch was born October
/ 81, 1928 and is one of the staunch old Pu-
ritan stock, his parents being both natives
of the United States, and his mother lin
cal descendent of Elder William Brewster,
of tho Mayhower. His father was for
many years Il master builder, in the city of
New York, and the boyhoOd and youth OF
Gen. Cox was passed in that city. in 1916,
then barely 10 years of age, he emigrated
to Ohio, and entered Oberlin College, where
he graduated in 1851. In 1853 he settled
at Warren, Trumbul county, Ohio, and be-
gan the practice of law. His evident fit
ness for the position, his eloquenoe as a
public speaker, and success at the bar,
SOON marked him as rising man, and Ill
1856 the Republican party OF his District
elected him by an overwhelming majority
as their representative in the Senate of
Ohio, which position he held at the out
break of the rebellion. We oil recollect
the almost helpless position in which our
great State was found at this time. The
many years of prosperity and peace had
almost oblterated even the idea OF war.
! We had no militia system--at least II We
had. it was merely nominal, and not of the
least possible force. The arms that had
been from time TO time furnished by the
General Government, had long been roD-
dered useless by inattention, and were rot
ting in unknown warehouses and cellars in
different parts OF the State. General Cox
had for some time held the nominal posi-
ton of Major General of the militia State,
and went to work at once in preparing leg
islative enactments which should put Ohio
in preparation for the impending shock Of
war; aud in this important duty the then
excellent Governor, William DcnniSon, had
no more competent or energetic assistant.
When the news OF the bombardment Of
Fort Sumter came, Senator Cox abandoned
|
Ohio contingent in response to the call of
President Lincoln for 10000 volunteers.
So efficient aud energetic were his services
that on the 23d of April 1861, lie was com
missioned hy Governor Dennison as Briga-
disr General of Ohio yoiunteers-ali the
officers undor that call being commissioned d
by the Governors OF the Several States.
IL will be Tecol eoted that at the same time
General Mcclellan was selected by the Gov
ernor as Major General. The first duty de-
volving upon General Cox was to assist
General Mcclellan IN an inspection Of the
/ Arsenal of the State, and in making esti
mates for the arming and equIppipg Of
10000 men-Ohio's quota of the $4,000
The Interior of that ancient edifce presented
woefu dearth of warlike stoTos-not
even enough 10 put into the field battal
ion of infantry or battery of artillery
10 fact, the State was completely defense
less, except by the brave hearts and mus
|. eular arms Of the patriotic people.
Not daunted, heweveT, by this terrible
! lack Of material, the lst and % Ohio It.