The Brothers Cobb Part Two: Brigadier General Thomas Reade Rootes Cobb, my 4th cousin 7x removed

Brigadier General Thomas Reade Rootes Cobb

Thomas Reade Rootes Cobb was born in Jefferson County, Georgia on April 10, 1823.  He was the younger brother of Major General Howell Cobb.  Much like his older brother, Thomas was educated in Athens, graduating from Franklin College (of The University of Georgia) in 1841.  He was admitted to the Georgia Bar in 1842.  He was a reporter for the Supreme Court of Georgia from 1849-1857.  Thomas, like his brother was an ardent secessionist and a delegate to the Secession Convention.  His most noted published work is entitled An Inquiry into the Law of Negro Slavery in the United States of America (1858).   Thomas was also one of the founders of the University of Georgia School of Law.

Thomas married Marion Lumpkin.   She would give birth to six children from 1844-1860.  Four children, all girls would survive into adult.

Thomas R. R. Cobb with daughter Lucy.  (Lucy lived from 1844-1857)

Thomas opened the Lucy Cobb Institute in Athens with the hopes his young daughter would attend.   Unfortunately she died shortly before the school opened.

The Lucy Cobb Institute opened in 1859 and closed in 1931



At the onset of the Civil War, Thomas served in the Confederate Congress, where he served as chairman of the Committee on Military Affairs.   Like his older brother, he was also on the committee that was responsible for drafting the Confederate Constitution.

Confederate Congressman Thomas Reade Rootes Cobb

In the summer of 1861 he organized Cobb's Legion.  He was commissioned a Colonel in the Confederate Army on August 28, 1861.  Cobb's Legion was assigned to the Army of Northern Virginia.  A "legion" consisted of a single, integrated command with individual components from the Infantry, Cavalry and Artillery.  At it's inception, Cobb's Legion was comprised of seven Infantry Companies, four Cavalry Companies and a single Battery of Artillery.   Cobb's Legion would take heavy casualties in the Maryland Campaign.  



Record showing Cobb's Appointment to Command Cobb's Legion

On November 1, 1862, Cobb was promoted to Brigadier General.  He would report to General James  Longstreet.

Thomas Reade Rootes Cobb wouldn't enjoy his promotion for long.   At the Battle of Fredericksburg in early December of 1862, the Confederate Army would accomplish one of it's greatest victories.  This victory would come at a great cost.   Cobb was mortally wounded in the thigh by a Union Artillery shell that burst inside the Stephens house near the Sunken Road. 

He bled to death due to damage to his femoral artery on December 13, 1862. 

Casualty List showing Cobb's death

His Body was returned to his home in Athens. He is buried in the Oconee Hill Cemetery.

 

Oil Painting of Thomas Reade Rootes Cobb

Below are summaries of his Civil War Service

Here's my relation to Thomas:

Brigadier General Thomas Reade Rootes Cobb (1823 - 1862)

is your 4th cousin 7x removed

John Addison Cobb (1783 - 1855)

Father of Brigadier General Thomas Reade Rootes

John Cobb (1740 - 1809)

Father of John Addison

John Cobb (1700 - 1775)

Father of John

Robert Cobbs (1660 - 1727)

Father of John

Robert Cobbs (1626 - 1682)

Father of Robert

Ambrose Cobb (1662 - 1718)

Son of Robert

Robert Cobb (1687 - 1769)

Son of Ambrose

Elizabeth Cobb (1724 - 1780)

Daughter of Robert

Reuben Benjamin Eaton Moss Sr. (1737 - 1819)

Son of Elizabeth

Howell Cobb Moss Sr. (1773 - 1831)

Son of Reuben Benjamin Eaton

Benjamin Lucious Moss (1792 - 1847)

Son of Howell Cobb

James C. Moss (1824 - 1891)

Son of Benjamin Lucious

William Allen Moss (1859 - 1931)

Son of James C.

Valeria Lee Moss (1890 - 1968)

Daughter of William Allen

Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis (1918 - 1977)

Daughter of Valeria Lee

Joyce Elaine Lewis (1948 - )

Daughter of Phebe Teresa

Chip Stokes

You are the son of Joyce