Civil War
In 1861, Cooke was commissioned a first lieutenant in the Confederate Army, and participated in the First Battle of Bull Run. In April 1862, he was elected colonel of the 27th North Carolina Infantry. Although, wounded at the Battle of Antietam, he was able to keep the field and was promoted to brigadier general on November 1, 1862.
Leading a brigade in action at the Battle of Fredericksburg, Cooke was badly wounded when a bullet entered over his left eye and fractured his skull. He was able to return to the field in April 1863. In October 1863, while commanding a brigade in A.P. Hill's corps, Cooke was again seriously wounded at the Battle of Bristoe Station during Hill's attack on the Union II Corps. His shinbone was shattered and he was knocked out of action for some time. He passed the time by serving on courts of inquiry in Richmond. Cooke returned to duty but was once again wounded in the leg at the Battle of Spotsylvania, but remained on the field to lead an assault on horseback. Cooke was wounded seven times during the Civil War.
Read more about this topic: John Rogers Cooke
Famous quotes related to civil war:
“At Hayes’ General Store, west of the cemetery, hangs an old army rifle, used by a discouraged Civil War veteran to end his earthly troubles. The grocer took the rifle as payment ‘on account.’”
—Administration for the State of Con, U.S. public relief program (1935-1943)