Brigadier General Phillip St. George Cocke

[Mike13z50]

Brigadier General Phillip St. George Cocke (b. 1809, d. 1861) A native Virginian, Cocke was the son of Major General John Cocke, a general in the War of 1812. The younger Cocke graduated from West Point in the class of 1832, and spent two years in the army before returning to the plantation. After leaving the army Cocke devoted himself to agriculture and architecture. He named his plantation on the James River Belmead, and it is considered one of the finest examples of Gothic-style residential architecture in the United States. Cocke was granted a brigadier’s commission in Virginia state forces upon the outbreak of the Civil War, but was reduced to colonel when absorbed into the Confederate national army. Cocke never recovered from this slight. He saw brief service at First Manassas and was promoted to brigadier general in October, but despondant and believing himself to “useless and a burden to country and family,” he shot himself on December 26, 1861 at his beloved Belmead. Cocke is buried at Hollywood Cemetery, in Richmond, Virginia.

Suggested Rating 1,1,1,1,0 Organized

[Gil R.]

This bio was too short for me not to edit it right away. (Only minor changes were required.) Quite interesting, and further reason why including unknown generals is turning out to be a rather justifiable decision. Who would ever have known about this guy otherwise?


Brig. Gen. Phillip St. George Cocke (b. 1809, d. 1861). A native Virginian, Cocke was the son of Maj. Gen. John Cocke, a general in the War of 1812. The younger Cocke graduated from West Point in the Class of 1832, and spent two years in the army before returning to the plantation. After leaving the army Cocke devoted himself to agriculture and architecture. He named his plantation on the James River “Belmead,” and it is considered one of the finest examples of Gothic-style residential architecture in the United States. Cocke was granted a brigadier’s commission in Virginia state forces upon the outbreak of the Civil War, but was reduced to Colonel when these forces were absorbed into the Confederate national army. Cocke never recovered from this slight. He saw brief service at First Manassas and was promoted to Brigadier General in October, but despondent and believing himself to be “useless and a burden to country and family,” he shot himself on December 26, 1861 at his beloved Belmead. Cocke is buried at Hollywood Cemetery, in Richmond.

[Mike13z50]

I couldn't really find much else to say about him. Who he married, etc. was available, but not relevant to the forum. A.S.Johnston on the other hand had an extensive career right up to dying on the field at Shiloh. That one was tougher to trim.