The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-12-27
LAST OF HIS RANK, COX SURRENDERS
 ID THE GRIM REAPER
Wounded Five Times In Bat tie, He Retains Command of Unit Until He Falls
 Exhausted

Richmond, Va, December 2e.--Ssen. William Ruffin Cox, last surviving ranking officer of the Confederate Army, died here this evening. He was
 extensively engaged in business in North Carolina and other southern points since the war.
 Death is said to have been due to
 toxic poisoning brough on by old age. General Cox had the distinction of being the last Confederate officer to relinquish the fighting at Appomatox Court House, prolonging the fighting for some time after the signing of the
 surrender by General Lee
 Wounded eleven times during the Civil war, General Cox suffered five severe wounds in one battle, but kept at the head of his brigade until he fell to the field exhausted
 Following the close of the war, Gen. eral Cox became secretary of the Unit ed States Senate. serving under both democratic and republican administra- - tions. Later he was elected to Con gress from North Carolina, his home state, serving several terms General Cox also served in numerous other capacities for his home State At one time he was judge of the circuit court, chairman of the democratic committed, and attorney general. He was prom : inently identified with the Masonic order, serving in the capacity of grand master for many years.
 BORN IN NORTH CAROLINA William Ruffin Cox was born in Scotland Neck. N. C., March Ii, 1881, of English parents, he being the youngest son of the family. After an early train ing at Vine Hall Academy at Scotland Neck. he entered a preparatory school
 near Nashville, Tenn, and at the age of Is years, entered Franklin college, where he graduated with distinction.
 He then entered Lebanon college and studied law, being admitted to the bar
 in Nashville in 1852 Forming a part nership with John G. Ferguson, they
 practiced until 1857, when General
 Cox returned to North Carolina Firing of the plantation life he went to Raleigh where he opened a law of : flee
 Spirit of War was in the air and it
 became more apparent daily that the forces of tic north and south would
 clash. General Cox organized and equipped with his own funds a mili- tafy company. Later he was named major of the Second North Carolina
 troops and his remarkable military career began,
 COMMANDED HEAVY ARTILLERY
 After six months training he was placed in command of the heavy artil- lery at Pratts Point on the Potomac river and in June. 1862, his regiment was the first to cross Meadow bridge at Mechanicsville under terrible fire. The following day. with all of his of ficers having fallen, Major Cox led his gallant band into the Seven Days battle one of the most famous in the Civil war.
 He took part in many of the other conflicts of the war and at the close Joined his efforts in restoring the coun- try to a practical peace status. Soon after he entered the political field and there the same dominant spirit, was again manifested. Tn 1865 he announced himself candidate for solicitor of the Metropolitan district and was elected by plurality of 27 votes
 The deceased soon after forming a
 law partnership in Nashville Tenn. was married to Kate Cabbell, daughter or Henry Coalter Cabbell of Richmond. She and two sons. the latter serving with the army in France in the late war, survive
 tuneral arrangements have not been completed but will be announced as soon as the two sons arrive from North Carolina.