The New York herald., 1869-03-06
JACOB DoHLsox cox, OF OHIO.

This gentleman the new Secretary OF the Interior,
was born In Montreal. Canada, some time during the
month Of October, 1928. While quite youth his
parents emigrated to Ohio taking up their residence
we think, at Cleveland, where they soon became
known as highly respectable citizens. Young Cox
was sent to the we-known college at Oberlin, where
he graduated with honors. Having completed his
collegiate studies he entered upon the theological
during which President Finney paid q visit to
Europe. leaving the student, to whom he was much
attached, in charge Of his household The presence
Of young widow, in the person OF the daughter Of
Mr.. Ftnney, in the house. lent 1t an ad-
ditional attraction, which the Secretary evt-
IDENTITY appreciated, for he IL said to have
rather neglected theology and engaged in
the delightful occupation Of loving and being
loved. The finale was, that when the worthy Presl-
dent returned from his European tour he found his
student friend metamorphosed into an anectionate
s0n-in-law.
His Legal and Political Life.
Instead OF becoming peacher OF the Gospel Mr..
Cox betook himself to law and after being admitted
to the bar removed with his wife to Warren Trum
bull county, q municipal division Of the State OF
Ohio which never fails to vote an overwhelming
majority for the radical ticket Here he engaged in
the practice OF his profession and took an active
part in politics. He endeavored to obtain nomina-
by his law partner, Mr.. Hutchins. Subse-
quently, however, he was elected MEMBER OF the
State Senate serving with distinction and winning
the confidence OF his constituents. His law practice
In the meantime had become quite large as conse.
quence Of his undoubted abilities and his diligence.
When the rebellion broke out Mr.. Cox was employed
with Governor Dennison and the Adjutant General
OF the State in the patriotic work OF organizing and
sending troops to the field. His labos at this time
were very severe but he managed to Hnd leisure
moments IN which to study the art OF war, so that
In few weeks he became as conversant with the
details OF q soldier as graduate OF West Point
Military Record Of General Cox.
Early In 1851 Governor Yates, OF Ohio, commits
stoned Mr. Cox brigadier general or volunteers In
the Kanawha valley, West Virginia, he nrst saw
active service under General Mcclellan. His CO.
reer during this campaign was brilliant. During
the numerous engagements which took place amid
the mountains OF that State, then Q part
OF Old Virginia, ne distinguished himself and par
ticuary 80 in the severe conflict at Gauley Bridge
which was defended by Colonel Alexander w. Rey-
nods, Of Virginia, graduate Of West Point, and
former o1icer OF the army, who gained the soubri-
Quet OF .Old Gauleyn for his desperate defence OF
the position. For some time after taking the field
General Cox held no other commission than that Of
State of1cer. but on May IL, 1851, he was comms-
stoned brigadier general OF volunteers in the United
States Army. On the 14th OF September, 1862. he
commanded the Fourth division Of the Ninth Army
Corps, under General Reno, and the charge of his
troops this day on the rebel position at South Noun
tain OF the most brilliant events Of the war.
Three days later he was in command OF the
Ninth corps, and participated in the battle
Of Antietam, and on the 9th OF October
following was commissioned q major general OF
volunteers, but the senate either refused or ne
elected to confirm the appointment. 1t would con-
sumo lar more space than can be spared TO narraie
all Of the military achievements of General Cox dur
ing the rebellion. He was for awhile In command
Of the district OF West virginia, and afterwards In
that OF Ohio. In December, 1868, he was again or
dered to the field and after serving at Knoxville ne
joined Sherman's army In the advance on Atlanta
During that remarkable campaign, which lasted from
March to September, and which was, without doubt
the only series OF operations during the entire war
in which the strategy of war was developed In Its
grandest form, the division OF General Cox took an
important part being engaged In nearly every
one OF the severe contests which took place.
When Hood, abandoning his secure position
across the wtst Point and Atlantic and Macon and
Western railroads, swung his army around sher-
man, and rapidly marched into Tennessee, General
Cox, who was then at the head or the Army OF the
Ohio was sent In pursuit. and ON the sangunary
fields OF Nashville won fresh laures ON the 1ith OF
February, 1865, the senate at length did justice to
gallant and able oficer BY confirming his appoint
ment as Major General OF volunteers. But the war
had already ended; few months after saw the last
rebel regiment disbanded.
General Cox as a Politician.
With the return OF peace the General resigned bis
commisspn and resumed his peaceful ayocatlons.
Al the meeting OF the Republican state Convention
on the 2ist of June, 1885, he was nomi-
mated for the once OF Governor OF ONO
amid the acclamations OF the delegates.
The contest was not severe one, the democracy
being defeated by large majority As Governor Of
ONO General Cox gave general Satisfaction.
Although he took part with Congress against the |
President he is rather conservative In his political
sentiments and Is said to have opposed, or given
aid to, the proposition In favor OF negro suffrage,
which was defeated by $1,000 majority In Ohio In |
1867, and which directly caused the election OF Q
democratic Legislature and the consequent sending
OF democrat, In the person OF Judge Thurman, to
the United States Senate General Cox ID gentle
man OF nne attainments man OF strict integrity,
and as Secretary OF the Interior will doubtless give
satisfaction to the people at large.