Evening journal., 1888-06-06

"a Ncu. OAu- AdhihE commanding position,
halt was ordered. In a few minutes the
value OF tins information was apparent, for
heavy columns of infantry were seen bear
ing down upon the flanks and center Of the
division, seriously imperiling its safety. The
nring was now resumed "A courier from
Gen. Grimes directed the withdrawal of tho
division It was slowly withdrawn. The Fed
erals, seeing this movement, hastened their ad-
vance and moved with such rapidity as TO
make tho situation alarming. It became
necessary to check them by some sudden
stroke. In this emergency Cen Cox directed.
through an aide, the regimental commanders
IN his brigade to meet him at its center with
out halting the command. This they
promptly did. He called their attention to
a hill, gradually rising, between them and
the Federals in their rear, and directed them
to face their regiments about and at a double
quick charge to the crest of the hill, and be-
fore the enemy should recover from the
almost certain surprise Of this movement, to
halt and open fire on them by brigade, and
then, with like rapidity of movement, to
face about and rejoin the division in its re-
treat. Raising the 'rebel yell, )" the brigade
with precision and celebrity obeyed the order.
Having gained the brow of the hill, the Fed
eral troops naturally supposed tho charge
would bo continued and they began deploy-
ing as il on parade, but before the maneuyer
was fully executed the commands rang
along the Confederate line, clear and loud
above the din Of battle, HALT Ready, aim,
firep and the entire brigade poured in a
steady volley which killed men by the score.
While the Federals were surprised and
stunned by the audacity of the charge
and the unusual character OF the
fire, the brigade safely withdrew
and rejoined the division, which in
the meantime had been skirmishing heavily
with columns on its flnnks The gallant Gen
Gordon, who witnessed the entire movement.
exclaimed; "Gallantly, gloriously doneln
Already the white flag was waving over the
field, but the Thirtieth North Carolina and
a portion of tho First and Third of Cox's
brigade, which were deployed as skirmishers
covering the rear, did not understand the
flag and for some time maintained an irregu-
lar fire. It was now 10 o'clock in the morn
ing. Gen. Cox's loss was severe, but he was
unable to discover precisely the loss which
the 'last volley at Appomattox" had inflicted
upon his opponent There was much con
fusion at first about the flag of truce and
some captures were made after its first ap-
pearnnce and recognition by those who un-
derstood it. Presently all firing ceased and
most painful suspense followed. Soon
Gen. 4. e. Lee, superbly mounted, and with
out his sword, passed. Gen. Cox says that in
more than one history of the war 1t is stated
that upon Gen. Lees return from the famous
conference with Gen. Grant, as he passed,
whole lines of battle broke ranks and rushing
up to him sobbed out words of tenderness and
comfort, while tears rolled down his cheeks
as he endeavored to dismiss them with few
appropriate words. Gen. Cox says this scene is
too warmly colered. An army is not emo
tional; IT is too much like machine And
then too, be says, Gen. Lee, outwardly formal,
reserved and impassive, repelled familiarity.
His troops could not cheer him. Gen. Cox
had seen it attempted several times, but it
was always so much like a breach Of propri-
ETY. that it was abandoned.
A little while after the surrender Gen. Cox,
with some other officers, called at Gen. Lees
tent. The latter spoke of the situation. The
terms of surrender he considered liberal He
was perfectly calm. Gen. Cox asked him
where he intended TO go, whereupon he re-
piled, in manner most impressive, 81 don't
know, general; have no home.n
The next day preparations for departure
began and the troops took up their march for
home. The Army Of Northern Virginia and
Cox's brigade no longer existed He left the
war with no less than eleven wounds received
in battle.
Gen. Cox, in the autumn Of 1865, resumed
his law practice at Raleigh In 1868 he was
elected solicitor of the Metropolitan district,
which had 1000 Republican majority. Yet
he won the race by twenty-seven majority as
a Democrat. For six years he held the office
In 1913 he was made chairman of the State
Educational association. May 20, 1876, he
delivered an address at Charlotte, N. G., be-
fore 10000 people, on the occasion Of the CEN
tennial of the HMecklenburg Declaration of
Independence" His speech was broad and
lofty in sentiment and was strongly national.
In July, 1875, he presided at banquet given
at Raleigh at the second annual reunion OF
the cotton states congress. The same year be
was elected chairman of the Democratic
state executive committee, and his services
were Of great value in the memorable cam
paign Of 1876. He was delegate from the
state at large to the Democratic national CON
vention at st. Louis in 1876. In January,
1877, Governor lnow Senator) Vance ap-
pointed him judge of the superior court Of
the Metropolitan district. Some Of his
decisions were learned and Of peculiar value.
In the most notable he decided that the act
Of congress was unconstitutional whereon
the federal courts based their claim to
remove to the circuit court of the United
States for examination the cases of reve-
nue. officers charged by the state with
criminal offenses The state supreme court
affirmed this decision, and later
the supreme court Of the United States also
it
In 1882 he was elected to congress from the
Fourth district, and showed in that body the
same ability, prudence and zeal which had
elsewhere characterized him. In 1884 he was |
reelected, and made more brilliant show
ing and deeper impression by his earnest and
support Of the presidents civil ser
vice policy.
Gen. Cox has always been large planter !
and has Of late devoted himself to his farming |
interests. He has passed nearly all the time on |
his estates in Edgecombe and gives personal |
to the details Of farm work He
has law Office at Raleigh, confiding his in |
terests here, for the greater part, to the care |
Of a partner. The general has very kindly |
presented me with some souvenirs Of his war /
service. One is hrigadier generals dress
coat, much Of the front torn away by she'll |
explosion and with bullet riddled skirts; an
other a hat with largo portion Of the brim |
torn away by shell fragment, and much Of |
what is left spattered with blood and brains |
Of an aide who was near him in action. |
These war relics are carefully preserved, to- |
gether with KEPT once worn by the general /
at Appomattox. He was unable, by reason /
Of wound, TO wear a belt or sword in the |
lest year Of the war. He is an interesting |