Mortally wounded in the battle of Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia in 1864

War Date Endorsement Signed as Colonel 52nd Ohio Infantry

(1834-64) Born in Carrollton, Ohio, he was a member of the famous "Fighting McCook" family of Ohio. He graduated from the University of Alabama in 1858, studied law, passed the bar exam, moved to Kansas and formed a partnership with William T. Sherman, Hugh B. Ewing and Thomas Ewing, Jr., all four of them becoming Union Generals during the Civil War. He served as a captain in a local militia company which became part of the 1st Kansas Infantry. He was the chief of staff of the 1st Division, Army of the Ohio, at the battle of Shiloh, and was appointed colonel of the 52nd Ohio Infantry on July 15, 1862. He served as a brigade commander under his old law partner, General William T. Sherman, in The Army of the Cumberland. General Sherman assigned McCook to lead the assault on Kennesaw Mountain, Ga., on June 27, 1864, and his brigade charged directly into the Confederate works. Just before he led the attack, he calmly recited to his men part of Thomas Macauley's famous poem, "Horatius," "then how may man die better than facing fearful odds?" When McCook reached the Rebel fortifications he was encouraging his men to follow him when he was struck in the right lung by a rifle shot. The wound proved to be fatal and he died on July 21, 1864, the day before his 30th birthday! He is buried in Spring Grove Cemetery, Cincinnati, Ohio. For the courage he displayed at Kennesaw Mountain, he was promoted to the rank of brevet major general although this promotion was never confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

War Date Endorsement Signed: 8 x 10, imprinted form, filled out in ink. For Joseph J. Kannel, Co. A, 52nd Ohio Infantry. For Services rendered in the Quarter Master Department of the 52nd Regiment O.V.I. as Extra duty man as Regimental Teamster for (85) Eighty five days, at 25 cents per day. From August the 25th until Nov. the 19th. $21.25.

I certify, that the above account is correct and just; that the services were rendered as stated; and that they were necessary for the public service, and that they were reported from August 25, 1862, September and October up to November 19th, 1862. Approved, Daniel McCook, Col. 52nd Ohio.

Also signed by J. Fisler, Regimental Quartermaster, 52 O.V.I., and Joseph J. Kannel.

Joseph J. Kannel, was a 22 years old when he enlisted on August 5, 1862, as a private, and mustered into Co. A, 52nd Ohio Infantry. He was mustered out of the Union army on June 3, 1865, at Washington, D.C.

Autograph Endorsement Signed on the reverse by a Lt. Col. & Chief Q.M.

Some scattered foxing and light wear.

Very desirable war date signature of one of the "Fighting McCook's" who was killed during the war!