The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-04-11

qualities were now well recognized,
was assigned to lead the First regi-
ment into the battle; and he partici-
pated with great gallantry and intre-
pidity in all the desperate fighting be-
fore Richmond, which resulted in hurl-
ing back McClellan's finest army on
the planet" defeated and disorgan-
lied and covering under protection of
the Federal gun boats at Harrison S
Landing. In these first desperate en-
counters in which Southern courage
and determination so marvellously dis
played themselves to the honor of the
Southern people, Major Cox was par
ttcularly distinguished for his fine con-
duct which gave promise of the mag
htficent career upon which he was en-
tering as a soldier At Malvern Hill
he was severely wounded and for a
lime was incapacitated for active duty.
But his spirit chafed at his enforced
absence from his command, and upon
Lees making his movement into Mary
land, Notwithstanding he was on fur
Tough as disabled he hurried to the
front and rejCined his regiment He
was present at the Battle of Sharps-
burg, where at the end of the Bloody
Lane" stands the enduring monument
of the fame of the brigade of which
the Second regiment formed part.
reciting: THAT there after a bloody
and desperate encounter at thirty
PAGES, Anderson's North Carolina
brigade drove back Meagher's New
York brigade with great slaughter.
But in this desperate encounter the
Second regiment along with its other
North Carolina associates suffered
heavily. Among other victims of that
fatal field was Colonel Tew, who fall
ing, his fate remained unknown for
many months; and in the uncertainty
some time elapsed before Lieutenant
Colonel Bynum was promoted to the
vacancy and Major Cox became Lieu
tenant Colonel. After the battle OF
Fredericksburg Colonel Bynum hav-
ing resigned, Colonel Cox succeeded to
the command of the regiment and bore
a distinguished part in all the battles
in which Stonewall Jackson's corps
participated
At charlottesville, on Friday even
ing. Colonel Cox moved up and drove
in Rockers outpost, the Second regi-
ment lying that night so near to the
enemy that all orders were given in
whispers. 1t was then determined that
Jackson should make his famous
movement across Hooker's front, and
the next morning Cox's regiment was
one of the sixteen North Carolina regi-
ments that accompanied Jackson in
that memorable march, and about sun
set reached the flank and rear of
Siegefs troops or Rockers extreme
right When the position that Jack
son sought had been gained and the
men were in line, STOPPING like athletes
ready for the charge, their brigade
commander, General Ramseur. order
ed, Forward at once!" and Cox lead
ing his regiment drove the enemy
from their works. But his brave men
i'm this gallant charge were subjected
to a terrific enfilading artillery fire at
only zoo yards distant, and in 15 min
utes 800 out of the 400 men Cox
had carried i'm We're either killed or
wounded. On this occasion Colonel
Cox was the very embodiment of the
Spirit of War. Tall and commanding
in appearance, brave and courageous
as Richard Of the Lion Heart, ne ex-
posed himself with unsurpassed gal
lantry and heroism. Five times was
he wounded in those fatal moments
but although weakened by the loss of
blood he felt no pain nor suffered
any dimnution of his exalted spirit
but remained on the field until entirely
exhausted.
OF him the lamented Ramseur said