Evening journal., 1888-06-06
GEN. WILLIAM R. COX.
ONE OF THE BEST KNOWN MEN
IN NORTH CAROLINA.

The Brilliant Soldier who Made the Last
Confederate Charge at Appomattox-His
Description of the Scene just After
Lees surrender-Ge cox's Home Life.
Especial Correspondencel
RALEIGH, N. c., June 4-One Of the best
known men in North Corolina is Gen. Will
lam RuGln Gov. He is a prominent figure
IN politics as he wns in the civil war. His
political record marks him as a man Of de-
cision and rare force Of character Just as did
his last charge at Appomattox Court House,
Virginia, on the fateful 9th of April, 1865.
Zen. Cox was born at Scotland Neck, N. c..
N 1881, and carries so well his 81 years that
je does not look day older than 45. His
father was Thomas Cox, a great merchant Of
tho Chowan section, while his grandfather
was at one time an officer in the British
navy, and later captain Of vessel in the
American merchant service, in which he was
captured by the British. On the death of
his father, in 1896, Gen Cox was taken bv his
mother to Tennessee, and they resided
at Nashville He attended school nesr
there, and later was enrolled ut Franklin
college, graduating with distinction in 1850.
He next attended the law school at lebanon,
Tennessee, and in 1853 formed q law partner
ship with Hon. John g. Ferguson. In 1857
he relinquished his residence in Tennessee to
return TO North Carolina and became a cot
ton planter in Edgecombe county, then CON
sidered one of the richest agricultural com
munities in the entire country. Two years
later he went TO Raleigh. He was in politics
a Democrat and was in 1850 nominated for a
seat in the lower house of the legislature, but
was beaten by a small majority by his Whig
opponent The war came on q little later.
Gen. Cox was bitterly opposed TO secession,
though an advocate Of the system Of states
rights. Whom he saw that war was inevi-
table his action was prompt. He gave
largely of his ample means towards the
equipment of battery and raised a com
pany of infantry. He was, however, at once
appointed major Of the Second North Caro-
lima infantry by Governor Clark. Charles
c. Tew was the colonel At the battle OF
Antietam Tor Sharpsburg) Tew was killed.
and Cox became colonel. The regiment was
throughout the war conspicuousiy gallant.
and Cox was an able and brave officer. be-
loved and admired by his men and trusted
by his superiors. The regiment was in Jack
sons famous corps OF foot cavalry" in the
Army Of Northern Virginia. At Chancel-
lorsville Col Cox was shot down, receiving
three wounds, and half the regiment
were left on the field, dead or disabled
He was unable to take part in the
Gettysburg campaign, but rejoined Gen,
Lees army on its return from Pennsylvania
He was soon after the battle of Spottsvlvania
promoted to brigadier general, and assigned
TO the command Of the brigade formerly
commanded by Stephen ID. Ramseur. com
posed of the Second, Fourth, Fourteenth and
rhirtieth North Carolina and parts Of the
First and Third regiments Of Stuart's bri-
gade He was assigned TO Dick Ewelrs
corps, and held the position until the close Of
the war, Under his leadership the brigade
maintained high reputation for gallantry