The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1901-03-28


written by Capt. J. B. Hunter.
formerly of Granville, but now Of
Durham, and one of the editors of the
Recorder of that city. A lifelong
acquaintance, warm personal friend
and comrade in arms, Capt. Hunter is
qualified to speak with intimate
knowledge of Gen. Cheek. He says:
Gen. Cheek was a native of Warren
county. His parents were Ebert Aston
and Susan Cheek, (nee Hayes) both Of
whom died several years ago.
He received a liberal education, studied
law and for many years was a prominent
member of the Henderson bar.
In 1861, at the commencement of the
Interstate war, he raised Cavalry Co. E.,
First Regiment, North Carolina troops,
and was elected captain of the same at
it's organization. The other commits
stoned officers of the Company were:
Robert Shaw, LOuisburg, LIST Lieutenant,
and A. b. Andrews, Lieutenant.
The non-commissioned officers were:
Norman Branch, Jesse Persons, of Frank
lin county, Reddin Hight, of Granville
county, and D. r. Duke, OF Granville.
now of Durham, bugler
The First North Carolina Regiment
was commanded by Col Robert Ran
som, Lieut.. Col. Lawrence Baker, Major
James B. Gordon, Adjutant, Capt James
Henry and Sergeant Major R. T. Full
ghum, of Goldsboro.
From this regiment there were pro-
noted five Generals: Ransom, Baker,
Gordon, Barringer and Cheek. Capt.
Cheek was promoted Colonel,
Colonel, Brigadier-General.
He was engaged in the seven days
fight around Richmond, second Malvern
Hill, two battles at Brandy Station,
Gettysburg, Charlottesville, campaigns
in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and many
others-not less than 100 fights. He
was always at the head OF his command,
urging his men not to go, but to follow
him.
At the battle OF Jacks Shops, near
Petersburg, his horse was shot from
under him. Bugler Duke brought him
another horse that he caught soon after
wards without a rider. While dismount-
ed, Col. Cheek formed his men in line and
stood under fire while he sent a courier
to Gen. Stuart for orders After this the
battle was continued. The arrival of
heavy reinforcements of the enemy com
PEELED his men to retire.
ness and bravery are recalled in his SOL
der life that time prevents noting in this
hurried notice.
His regiment surrendered with Gen.
Lees army at Appomatox This regi-
ment represented the flower of Warren,
Granville, and Franklin counties young
yeOmanary, over 900 in number, which
then were reduced to one half or more
General Cheek possessed all the natural
and cultivated virtues of a Christian
gentleman. In every walk OF life he
exempified his devotion to duty and a
high sense of honor which with earnest
ness and sincerity in every cause he
espoused, love of justice and right blend.
ed with personal magnetism. drew to
him friends from every walk of life.
The writer had numbered him among
his most cherished friends for nearly half
| a century, and is privileged to mingle his
| tears with those of his distressed family
and to share their grief.
The following brief references tC
the death of Gen. Cheek are taken
from other sources:
(Raleigh Post, Sunday.)
A private telegram received last even
ing conveyed the shocking intelligence oil
| the sudden death of our old friend, Col
W. H. Cheek, which occurred at 6 p. m
yesterday at his home in Henderson
Colonel Cheek. as Colonel of the immorta
First Cavalry" during the Civil War
| and by his daily walk since, fully evi
denced the finest character of the superb
soldier and Christian gentleman.
sketch will appear soon, dealing more
Justly with the merits of this true man
Our sympathies go out to the family He
was sixty-four years OF age.
tRaleigh correspondence Charlotte Oh
server.)
! News reached here today of the sudden
death OF Col. W. H. Cheek, while in thu
office OF bis physician at Henderson last
night. Col. Cheek, during the Civil War
commanded the First North Caroline
Cavalry, superb regiment, 1t was he
and not General Wade Hampton, who
was the hero OF the capture of Dahlgren's
Raiders when the latter made their dash
upon Richmond. 1t was during the latter
part OF the war in command of a brigade
OF cavalry and it was arranged that h,
should begiven a brigadier scommission
but it did not reach him in time. Hewat
here but a few days age. He was il
every walk of life truly an admiral l.
| man.
Charlotte Observer.)
| In our Raleigh correspondence this
morning is stated the death of Col. W
| H. Cheek, of Henderson, who commanded
a noted troop of cavalry from NORTH
Carolina in the Civil War Col Cheek, il
we recolect Alright, was the hero of tn,
splendid charge of the Confederate sol
dlery at Chamberlain's Run, in Virginia
when the men had first to cross q strea n
and then get through all abatis OF feleC
trees, all under fire. which they success
fully accomplished, driving the enemy
before them. General Lee, as we remem
Der the story, stood upon an eminenc,
watching the wonderful attack, and
when it's success was assured, turned t.
Gen. Rufus Barringer, who was at hi:
side, and exclaimed: General, the worlt
has never seen such fighting!" The deatt
OF Col. Cheek is to be greatly deplored
Another old soldier has answered lad
sum" to the calling OF the roll
| (Raleigh News and Observer.)
The snow that never melts has faller
on the heads of most of the brave mer
| who followed Lee 10 the War Between tn,
| States, and one by one they are called tC
| join their great commander in the Better
Land. Col. W. H. Cheek, who died il
Henderson on Saturday, was one of tn,
bravest of the brave and his death viii
be widely mourned by his comrades il
| arms.
| wilmington Messenger)
| Gen. William II. Cheek, whose death
was mentioned in yesterdays Messenge,
was q very gallant and efficient soldier
| He was in the cavalry service and served
throughout the war. He was Colonel o.
the First North Carolina Cavalry, the
| first Colonel Of which was Gen Robert
Ransom. He thoroughly organized il
| and made it superior body OF soadiery
| Reading history of Hamptou's Legion
| many years ago, We were much impressed
with one fact-that whenever it was ad.
vancing towards the enemy, the First
North Carolina Regiment was in front
when it was retiring the First North
Carolina Regiment was covering the re-
treat. Colonel Cheek was appointed
n: L .