Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1880-06-10
HOW He DIED.
The Father Of the EcSOOk Fami.
Iy in the Pursuit Of Morgan.
Unvritten History, in Cincinnati Enquirer.l

Unvritten History, in Cincinnati Enquirer.l
When Judah's column started up the
river from Cincinnati in pursuit of Nor
gan, it was joined by Major Dan Nc
Cook. father of Robert L., who was kill
ed while riding in advance of his COM
mand near Huntsville, Ala, in an ambC-
lance, in 1862 Major McCook was a
PaymaSter, and attached to the force
making headquarters at Cincinnati. He
accompanied General Judah in the ca
pacity of a self-appOinting aid. Some OF
US on the staff soon concluded the old
gentleman had unlimited capacity to
give advice. We had all we could do to
prevent open and violent Quarrcls be-
tween him and Judah, who was a most
unreasonable and waspish man, and ter
ribly touched about interference with
his professional duties by civilians.
Major McCOok's object i'll going with
an expedition was to avenge the death
of his son Robert. He had learned, or
thought he had, that Gurley. sort of
free-lance rebel Captain, who WAS charg-
ed with killing his son, was with Nor
gan. No argument could convince the
old Major that he could not find his
man, even if he were there; that he was
running great risk of chastising the
wrong man, as Gurley would, of course,
conceal his real name from those whom
he might suspect were in pursuit of
him, while others of the same name
would tell the fact, having no motives
for concealment. We all believed about
headquarters that the old gentleman
chn on inhf hn
he met in gray uniform, if only some
body told him the mans name was Cur
ley, so completely had the desire to
avenge his sons death passed him. He
was the father of the M'Ccok courage,
which bOrdered on recklessneSs in his
sons, and in his then state of mind in
tensiied his conduct into fOolhardneSs.
At least such structure would be just in
case the man was fully responsible. l
believe the shocking manner of Roberts
death, who was his favOrite son, had so
preyed on his mind as to partially un-
balance him. He rode with the advance
from the time the command debarked at
Portsmouth until we reached Buffing-
ton. On one or two occasions he insist
ed upon accompanying the writer on a
scout, and l was forced to finally treat
his gray hairs with less respect than
would have been gentiemanly under or
dinary circumstances. He was told toi
return to the main line or he would be
sent there under guard. The old mans
eyes flashed defiance for moment, but
almost instantly realizing that against
fifty Sabers he stood a poor chance sim
gle-handed, he sullenly turned and slow
ly sought the head of the column. The
morning we arrived at Butfington-de-
scribed in my first paper-Major Nc
Cook was with the staff, as usual. Old
man as he was-he must have been near
seventy-he had ridden all night. He
was mounted on handsome chestnut
single-footer, and carried Henry six
teen shooter, always loaded with the
full complement of cartridges, slung over
his shoulder.
When the General ordered Arm
strong's company to advance in the fog
toward the river, to be succeeded by one
of Hen3haw's guns, the artillery moved
ahead of the cavalry down a long hill
and halted to let Armstrong pass. Hen
shaw and the writer were watering their
horses in a bright brook at the foot of
the slope and looking through the bot
toms of their TASKS, wnen Major McCook
rode up with the advance guard, which
was ordered to precede the troops. ex-
postulated with him on taking such
risks. He laughed at my advice, limited
that was hardly soldier enough to take
care of myself, let alone look after man
of his age, pulled his horses nose out of
the stream and dashed off after the ad-
vance. He disappeared in the fog in a
moment, and when 1 next saw him he
was dead, riddled by five bnllets; his
watch, Henry rifle, money, and part of
his clothes rifled from his person.
Major McCoOk was killed by the first
volley fired by Dukes skirmishers, near
tine river bank. He could not have been
more than thirty yards from the enc
my'S line. Two of the balls which
pierced him were fired from dragoon pis-
tolls. None of the staff ever saw his fine
charger nor the rifle afterward. be-
lieve the watch was recovered.
The remains were buried near Buffing-
ton, as the weather was intensely hot
(July 19th), and it was not practicable
to send dead body back to tie city.
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