Page:Confederate Military History - 1899 - Volume 3.djvu/867

Rh, he accompanied General Kemper, as a member of his staff, with a party of other officers, to Halifax county, where they heard of Lee's surrender, and thence proceeded to Henry county and joined a party which endeavored to reach General Johnston's army. Upon the surrender of the latter, he returned to Danville, Va., and gave his parole to the Federal authorities. Then returning home he took up the study of law, and in September, 1865, removed to Richmond and entered upon the practice, in which he has ever since been successfully engaged. He is still a comrade to the survivors of the army, and is a member of R. E. Lee camp, No. 1, Confederate Veterans.

Captain Octavius Coke, a native Virginian, who, at the time of his death, held the office of secretary of State of North Carolina, was born at Williamsburg, the son of John Coke and his wife, Eliza Hankins, both of Virginia families long resident in that vicinity. Other children of these parents who survive are ex-United States Senator Richard Coke, of Waco, Tex.; Alexander and John A. Coke, prominent lawyers at Richmond, Va., Dr. Lucius C. Coke, of North Carolina, and two daughters, residing in Virginia. Captain Coke was educated in William and Mary college, and began the practice of law at Williamsburg in 1860. Hardly had this professional career been opened when he heard the bugle call of his beloved State, and he enrolled himself among her defenders. Just at manhood he became a soldier in the Thirty-second Virginia infantry, and his army career was identified with that of Pickett's division. He served with gallantry and was twice wounded, at Sharpsburg and Five Forks. After the war he resumed the profession of law and became a citizen of Edenton, N. C. Attaining success in his legal work, he also became prominent in politics, where his impressive personality, strong will and keen judgment made him a leader from the start. In 1872 he was the Democratic candidate for presidential elector for the First district. In 1876 he was a candidate for the State senate and succeeded in spite of a regular adverse majority. He served with distinction, and on the expiration of his term, made his home at Raleigh, where he continued the practice of law for a time, but ultimately restricted his public business to politics. In 1880 he became chairman of the Democratic State central committee, rendering important service, and in 1884 was a prominent candidate for the nomination of governor. In 1891 he was appointed secretary of State to fill a vacancy, and in the following year was elected to the office, which he filled, with increasing popularity, until his death, August 30, 1895. He was a man of generous proportions, physically and mentally. In his political career he was frankly aggressive and genuinely honest. He served his party with remarkable generosity, and at the same time sought the good of the people rather than his own aggrandizement.

Colonel Edward Dorsey Cole, of Fredericksburg, Va., was born in Prince William county, Va., on October 10, 1843. His parents, Horace and Martha A. (Taylor) Cole, were natives of Prince William county. In 1862 they took refuge in Fredericksburg, where they remained several months, then returned to their former home in Prince William county and remained there until 1873, then removed to Fredericksburg, which place was their home until 1878.