The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-04-11
GEN. v. R. COX'S
WORD To HISTORY
Detailed Account of the
Last VOIley.
PLENTY PRAISE TO ALL
Commander of the Last Organized
Brigade Thinks That North Caro-
Iinians Should Have Been Con-
tented With Showing Acts of
Troops on Last Field.

In preparing for publication an ac-
count of the part taken by Cox'S brig
ade at the surrender at AppomattoX,
permit me to add that the gallant sons
of Virginia and North Carolina fought
and bled side by side from Kings
Mountain to AppomattoX. In the war
between the States. at the first cry of
alarm from Virginia, North Carolina
sent to her rescue her braVest and
best many of whom never returned.
From colonial days to the present
hour no two States of the Union, po
litically, materially and socially have
been more closely allied than these
two North Carolina honors Virginia's
brave sons and noble daughters and
is proud of her distinction as the
Mother of States and statesmen. AT
the same time, North Carolina is
equally proud of the achievements of
her sons and daughters and realizes
that the time has arrived when she
can no longer rely upon modest
merit to make them known.
The Daughters of the Confederacy
of North Carolina placed certain le
gends on the monument they erected
to the memory of her dead in the city
of Raleigh, but it was with no purpose
of disparaging the just claims of the
soldiers of any sister State; they were
tributes of appreciation of the Sacri-
fees and devotion of their loved and
lost. and as such were entitled to the
respectful consideration of every
chivalrous man.
Nearly forty years have elapsed
since the close of the war between
the States A new generation has
come to the front, with its ambitions
and its aspirations; peace and pros
perity is all pervading, when a little
cloud is seen to arise in an unexpect-
ed quarter. Certain Virginians as
semble and appoint an able lawyer-a
member of that profession which can
advocate with equal zeal and earnest
ness any side of a cauSe-to aSsail and
destroy the Importance of these le-
gends, and it is clear in so doing he
displays more the zeal of the advo-
cate than the impartial research of
the historian. This address is deliv-
cred, and "the Grand Camp of Con-
federate Veterans of Virginia" order
ed five thousand copies published in
pamphlet form for distribution. Every
! old Confederate must regret that di-
visions and contentious and riValries
should be excited between soldiers of
the different Southern States. They
feel with Grant that agitators in diff
ferent quarters should "let us have
peace
This challenge thus thrown out was
very properly met by the Historical
Society of North Carolina, which pre-
pared a full, and, as it believed, a
complete answer to the allegations of
the address made by Judge Christian.
Whether so or not is not material to
the present consideration, suffice it to
say, that it was hoped that the mat
ter might there end; for the veterans
recognized that their comrades every
where were equally jealous, equally
patriotic in their desire to fulfill their
duties to their country.
In due time, however, certain North
CarolinianS secured an appropriation
from the State to erect monument
on the battle field at Appomattox and
on it inscribed still more numerous
legends, which we are sorry to say
have given umbrage to some of our
friends. So far as we are concerned,
we regret that more tact was not
shown in placing upon that monu-
ment an inscription, which, while do
ing full justice to our State need not
offend any one, but on the contrary,
might be rallying point where the
survivors of the war might meet to-
gether and in friendly rivalry revive
and discuss their achievements of the
past
Such unfortunately was not the case
and together with others, / will be I'M
able to participate in the celebration.
] would be called upon to address this
meeting: feeling but only half hearted
unsatisfactory to ALL I do not pro-
pose to be placed in that position. In
deed the numerous inscriptions seem
to me to weigh down and impair, if
not defeat a proper appreciation of
the achievements of the troops of
North Carolina on that occasion. AS
is well known, the battle field of APP
pomattox Court House is more dis
tinguiShed for the cessation of arms
between the two sections, than for any
severe fighting that took place. The
Federal Government has been content
to mark the distinguishing points with
cast iron tablets with appropriate in
scriptions.
1t is eminently proper for North
Carolina to record with a monument
the deeds of her sons upon the field at
the time of surrender, but what rela-
ton have their achievements on other
fields and in other States to Appomat-
tox? Then why imperil the success of
this celebration by the introduction of
eXtTaneouS matters which must only
lead to controversies?
In complying with the request of
the editor. that / give an accurate ac-
count of the claim of CoX's brigade,
which made the last charge upon this
eventful field, | will state it is known
the Confederate army was so reduced
that it was divided into two corps,
commanded respectively by Gordon
and Longstreet. Gordon's corps was
placed in front for the purpose of cut
ting through, if possible, the environ
ment of the Federal army, while
Longstreet protected the rear.
In moving into action on the morn
ing of the 9th of April. the cavalry
under Fitz Lee. was on the right. with
view, if possible, of turning the left
flank of Sheridan's command. Grimes
was on the right of Gordon's corps,
and during the progress of the battle
as the enemy were driven back, this
division by left turn was thrown in
advance of the whole of Lees army,
and indeed was separated from it. I
have so often given an account of the
charge of Cox's brigade on that occa-
sion that it is needless to repeat it
here. Suffice it, the charge would not