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

rected General Ramseur to say to them
| THAT they had saved that part of the
| line" This gallant feat of arms brought
| Ramseur his commission as Major
General, and after that General Cox
led the brigade that under Anderson
and Ramseur had been so distinguish
ed in all the fields of blood and car
| mage in which the Army of North
! ern Virginia had won such great vic
tory.
The brigade had on Jackson's death
and the formation of EwelPS corps.
been assigned to that corps and it ac-
companied General Early in the valley
campaign and in his movements on
Washington City. Arriving in the front
OF the Federal army under General
Hunter on the 18th of June, it began
the pursuit of the flying enemy on
the 18th, skirmished that night. the
next day, continued the pursuit on the
21st again striking the enemy, reached
Staunton on the 9th, Harper's Ferry
on July 4th, ON the 9Th engaged the
Eenemy on Maryland Heights, fought
all day, reached Frederick, Maryland,
on the 9th after a stubborn fight talk
ing 500 or 700 prisoners and suffer-
ing heavily, and on the 10th resumed
the march on Washington City. On
the evening of the 18th of July the
Confederate banners were flying with
in sight of the dome of the Federal
Capitol. When in the vicinity of
Washington it was the fortune of Gen
eral Cox with his brigade to occupy
Silver Springs, the beautiful residence
of the Blairs, within sight of the city
and the nearest approach of any Con-
federate troops to Mr.. Lincoln'S
pleasant quarters in the White House.
For two days General Cox and his Con-
federate associates looked with longing
eyes at the Promised Land, and then,
retiring, recrossed the Potomac on the
18th at Leesburg.
Then followed engagement after en-
/ gagement, that series of bloody en-
counters, so fearful in it's losses to the
North Carolina troops engaged
scenes of unequalled heroism and va
Tor and of unsurpassed carnage and
glory. Day after day General Cox
stood forth holder and in stronger re-
lief on the canvass as an intrepid SOL
der and military hero, contributing
with his associates to add to the glory
and renown of the name and fame of
his native State.
About Christmas the division re-
turned to the main army then in the
| trenches of Petersburg, and General
Cox with his brigade was detached for
important and special duty north Of
the Appomattox, with orders to make
rected to General Lees headquarters.
This was distinguished mark of con-
for their splendid conduct, and he di-
ffdence as only steady troops were
trusted to guard the river front where
his brigade was now stationed and to
, protect Lees flank from any advance
| of the enemy from that direction. Gen
eral Cox shared in the arduous and
perilous duties that fell to the lot or
all of Lees veterans in the trenches
of Petersburg, and like them ALL his
constancy heroism and endurance
challenge the admiration of ali who
admire what is noble in mankind.
Once more it was General Cox's for
tune to draw from General Lee an ex-
preston of high commentator. 1T was
during the retreat from Petersburg
| just after a considerable body OF Lees
retiring army had been overwhelmed
and dispersed. and the utmost confu-
| sion prevailed, the soldiers struggling
along hopelessly, many leaving DELHI
erately for their homes and the demon
alizatlon increasing every moment
while the enemy flushed with victory
and swarming in numbers pressed on