The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1902-02-08
A ERhVE aIlIER WIS IL
Commander Of COBb'S Regiment
Writes Of VaIOrOus Conduct.
"a JOY 10 SEE HIM MOVE"
Death Stilled a Brave Heart and Cut
Short Brilliant Career.
"a JOY TO SEE HIM MOVE.

In letter to the Rev. Thomas NJ.
Cobb, of Nevada, Mo-, Major R. L.
Bullard, of the regular army, who
commanded the regiment in the Phil
ippines in which Tom Cobb served,
and who is now stationed at Fort
Sam Houston, Texas, says;
'Your son joined my command at
Fort Crook, Neb. His military bear
ing and self-reliance instantly
attracted my attention and | tried
Immediately to have him promoted to
a captaincy, but the law would not
permit. ! passed a month Of the close
companionship Of an ocean voyage
with him and gave him an indie
pendent command in the first fight OF
his regiment in the Philippines, fol-
lowed by a similar command in the
second action Jan. lst and Jan. 9th,
1900, at Calamba and Viga bridge. In
both these engagements he com
manded aanking parties and displayed
great daring and dash. He rushed at
the enemy. Fight and vigor were
characteristic Of him and were his to
the last. 1t was JOY to see him move
in the enemy's direction. The spirit
of war and aggression animated his
martial figure and cheered all who
saw him, officers and men alike, and
filled them with a confidence that
won fights. At Calamba his flanlling
detachment swept from one flank to
the other Of the retreating enemy; at
yiga bridge, his ianking detachment
under bis personal leadership crossed
a river under the enemy's fire from
trenches on the opposite banks, clam
bered up the opposing bluff, turned
their hanks and with the aid of the
balance of his battalion drove the
enemy in confusion into the deep
swamps and river where great num-
bers perished or we're captured.
"But bravery in battle was not his
only courage. No less marked was
that higher courage with which he
faced with smile, with defiance that
was almost disdain, the dreadful,
deadly diseases Of the tropics, more
fearful, a thousand times more fearful
than the enemy's bullets and
treachery, He was sick, he was weak,
worn out with hard work within and
without by the vertical sun Of those
miserable islands, but he never weak
ened in spirit, be went on always
smiling, always cheerful, always ready
to the limit Of physical power.
"Such qualities be sure, won the
admiration Of all who knew him, Of
the officers and men, not only Of his
own, but Of other regiments, Of who
! soeyer saw him in the field. BE sure
j that his sad death brought grief and
regrets to Others than those who we're
near and dear 20 him at home OF
late 7 have heard many expressions Of
{ regret from officers who thought
knew nothing Of bis fine character.
And the sadness of il all is that he
was coming again to his home and
loved ones, having defed the treach-
cry Of a cruel enemy and deadly, insid-
ious diseases. His death seems
inexpressibly hard and | hope that
, the Father was gentle with him in the
, beginning Of a new life as He laid
: prieyous burden upon him in the end
Of this liie-to die alone. homeward
bound
"At his last station, camp at
Nasugbu, Batangas Province, Luzon,
5 took this little picture Of him. /
! expect it was the last, Keep it.
81 Isendy dyouunder separate cover the
oficiai history Of his regiment. See
page 81.
81 trust that shall some day have
the pleasure Of meeting the father OF
my poor Tom Cobb. May God deal
5 kindly with you, With his lonely
mother and ali that was near and dear
to his gallant heart.
Witt AMI -hippcd ear oad cI
hogs and cst1elo Kansas City Non
day afternoon aa load Of hogs