The Early Years

Robert M. Cox, the son of William Cox and Mary Carter was an American soldier who fought in the American Civil War. Cox received the country's highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor, for his action during the Battle of Vicksburg in Mississippi on 22 May 1863. He was honored with the award on 31 Dec 1892.

In 1850, Robert M., age six, resided with his father William, the head of household and Farmer and his mother Mary in Wheeling Township, Guernsey, Ohio, United States. Mary managed the home and also raised Elizabeth, Eliza J., Margaret (aka Margt), Rebecca, Mary E., and William. In addition, his older siblings Asenith, Henry, a Farmer, Clara A., and Elijah, a Farmer were also residents in the household.

By 1860, Robert M., age sixteen, and a Farm Laborer, had relocated to Illinois and resided with the James Martin Family, the head of household and Farmer in Indian Point, Knox, Illinois, United States.

The Civil War

Robert Mitchell Cox, sixteen years old and a resident of St. Augustine, Illinois, United States, enlisted in the Union Army for three years as a Private on 22 Oct 1861. Private Cox was assigned to Company K, 55th Regiment, Illinois Infantry.

On 16 Feb 1864, Private Cox reinlisted. He was listed as wounded on 27 Jun 1864. Private Cox received one promotion to Corporal during his enlistment. He was listed as wounded on 27 Jun 1864 at Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia. On 14 Aug 1865 Corporal Cox was discharged at Little Rock, Arkansas. Medal of Honor Recipient died on 26 oct 1932 in Praire City, Illinois and was buried in Prairie City Cemetery.

Civil War Engagements with the 55th Illinois Infantry Regiment|55th, aka '''Canton Rifles''' Organized: Camp Douglas, Chicago, Illinois, United States on 31 Oct 1861 and Mustered out: 14 Aug 1865

Corinth, (aka Battle of Pittsburg Landing), 29 Apr-30 May 1862, Hardin County, Tennessee, United States, Union Victory 

Shiloh, a series of maneuvers and battles in the Western Theater of the American Civil War directed against Vicksburg, Mississippi, a fortress city that dominated the last Confederate-controlled section of the Mississippi River, 6-7 Apr 1862, Corinth, Mississippi, United States, Union Victory

Vicksburg, 29 Dec 1862-11 Jan 1863 (operations against Vicksburg), 29 Mar-4 Jul 1863 (Grant's operations against Vicksburg), In and around Vicksburg, Mississippi, United States, Decisive Union Victory

Chickasaw Bayou, (aka Battle of Walnut Hills), 26-29 Dec 1862, Warren County, Mississippi, United States, Confederate victory

Arkansas Post, (aka Battle of Fort Hindman), 9-11 Jan 1863, Arkansas Post, Arkansas, United States, Union Victory

Snyder's Bluff, during the Vicksburg Campaign, 29 Apr-1 May 1863, Warren County, Mississippi, United States, Confederate victory

Jackson, MS, during the Vicksburg Campaign, 14 May 1863, Jackson, Mississippi, United States, Union Victory

Champion Hill, pivotal battle in the Vicksburg Campaign, 16 May 1863, Hinds County, Mississippi, United States, Union Victory

Vicksburg, final major military action in the Vicksburg campaign, 18 May-4 Jul 1863, Warren County, Mississippi, United States, Union Victory

Collierville, 11 Oct First Battle of Collierville-Second Battle of Collierville 3 Nov 1863, Collierville, Tennessee, United States, Union Victory

Chattanooga, the Third Battle, series of maneuvers and battles in October and November 1863, 21 Sep-25 Nov 1863, Chattanooga, Tennessee, United States, Union Victory

Atlanta, a series of battles fought in the Western Theater of the American Civil War throughout northwest Georgia and the area around Atlanta during the summer of 1864, 7 May-2 Sep 1864, Northwestern Georgia and around Atlanta, United States, Union Victory

Resaca,formed part of the Atlanta Campaign, 13-15 May 1864, Gordon County and Whitfield County, Georgia, United States, Inconclusive Victory

Kennesaw Mountain, during the Atlanta Campaign, 27 Jun 1864, Cobb County, Georgia, United States, Confederate victory

Atlanta, during the Atlanta Campaign, 22 Jul 1864, Fulton and DeKalb counties, Georgia, United States, Union Victory

Ezra Church, (aka Battle of Ezra Chapel and the Battle of the Poor House), 28 Jul 1864, Fulton County, Georgia, United States, Union Victory

Jonesborough, 31 Aug-1 Sep 1864, Clayton County, Georgia, United States, Union Victory

Allatoona, (aka Battle of Allatoona Pass), 5 Oct 1864, Bartow County, Georgia, United States, Union Victory

March to the Sea, (aka Savannah campaign or simply Sherman's March), 15 Nov-21 Dec 1864, Georgia, United States, Union Victory

Fort McAllister, final stages of Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman's March to the Sea, 13 Dec 1864, Bryan County, Georgia, United States, Union Victory

 Carolinas, (aka campaign of the Carolinas), the final campaign conducted by the Union Army against the Confederate Army in the Western Theater, 1 Jan-26 Apr 1865, Carolinas, United States, Union Victory, unconditional surrender of the Army of the South on April 26, 1865, effective end of the American Civil War, dissolution of the Confederacy and reconstruction of the Southern States

Bentonville, 19-21 Mar 1865, Bentonville, North Carolina, United States, Union Victory

Corporal Robert Mitchell Cox fought in the American Civil War and received the country's highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor, for his action during the assault at Vicksburg, Mississippi, United States. Corporal Cox bravely defended the colors planted on the outward parapet of Fort Hillon 22 May 1863, while serving with Company K, 55th Regiment, Illinois Infantry

President Benjamin Harrison of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, took pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Corporal Robert Mitchell Cox, United States Army, on 31 Dec 1892 for extraordinary heroism, while serving with Company K, 55th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, in action at Fort Hillon 22 May 1863. During the Battle of Vicksburg. Corporal Robert Mitchell Cox

In accordance to military tradition, service members salute Medal of Honor recipients, regardless of rank. This is a matter of respect for the recipients' sacrifices and is not required by law. Department of Defense Saluting MOH Recipients. In addition, MOH Recipients receive special benefits: 1. A Monthly Pension and Special Retirement Pay; 2. Uniform Allowances; 3. On-Base Parking Spots; 4. Priority Space-A Travel; 5. Invitations to Presidential Inaugurals; 6. Academy Appointments for Dependents; 7. A Medal of Honor Flag; 8. Full Military Burial Honors Military Times, Special Benefits for MOH Recipients.

Later Years

In 1865, Robert married the former Sarah Ann Bryt on 13 Dec 1865 in McDough, Illinois, United States. They had at least seven known children: Arminda C. (Minnie) Cox McNutt, Eliza Lida Cox Hathaway, Jessie Sarah Cox Campbell, Ella Mae Cox Painter, Robert Edward Cox, Christine Cox Martin and Delena Cox.

By 1870, Robert (aka Robt), age twenty-five, a Brick Layer, and head of household, had relocated to Bushnell, McDonough, Illinois, United States and resided his wife of five years, Sarah. Sarah managed the household and raised Arminda (Minnie), Eliza, and Jessee.  As of 1880, Robert (aka Robt), age thirty-five, a Musician, and head of household, had relocated to Prairie City, McDonough, Illinois, United States and resided his wife of fifteen years, Sarah. Sarah managed the household and raised Arminda (Minnie), Eliza (Lida), Jessee (aka Jessie), Ella and Robert (Edward).  Robert was in a pension record in 1880.

In 1900, Robert (aka Robt), age fifty-five, a Plasterer, and head of household, resided his wife of thirty-five years, Sarah in Prairie City, McDonough, Illinois, United States. Sarah managed the household and raised Lena. In addition his adult children Minnie, Mae and Christine resided in the household. The census shows Sarah has given birth to eight children and seven are still living in 1900.   Robert was in a pension record in 1907-1933 in United States.  Robert M., age sixty-five, and head of household, resided with his wife of forty-five years in 1900, Sarah on Fremont Avenue in Prairie City, McDonough, Illinois. In addition his adult daughter Delena and granddaughter Emiline R. resided in the household.

In 1920, Robert M., age seventy-four, and head of household, resided with his wife of fifty-five years Sarah on Fremont Avenue in Prairie City, McDonough, Illinois. In addition his granddaughter Emiline R. resided in the household.    By 1930, Robert M., age eighty-six, and head of household, resided with his wife of sixty-five years Sarah on Fremont Avenue in Prairie City, McDonough, Illinois, the real estate value was $800. In addition his niece Ella B. Johnson and nephew Gus C Johnson resided in the household.

Robert's wife of sixty-six years, Sarah Ann Bryte Cox died on 1 Nov 1931 in Prairie City, McDonough, Illinois.

Medal of Honor Recipient Corporal Robert Mitchell Cox died on Wednesday,26 Oct `932 at the age of 87 years, 7 months, 7 days in Prairie City, McDonough County, Illinois, United States.