★
Loading archive…
Service Profile
- Branch
- U.S. Army
- Rank
- Corporal
- Service Era
- American Civil War, Battle of Vicksburg
- Medals Recorded
- 2
Awards & Decorations
Ribbon Rack
Biography
Guarded his regiment's colors on Vicksburg's deadly parapet!
Corporal Robert Mitchell Cox defended his regiment's colors at the most exposed point of the Vicksburg assault. Born in Guernsey County, Ohio, on 19 March 1845, he served in Company K, 55th Illinois Infantry.
On 22 May 1863, during the Union assault on Vicksburg, the regimental colors were planted on the outward parapet of Fort Hill. Cox remained with them and defended the colors under fire, an act later recognized with the Medal of Honor.
Medal of Honor Citation (condensed)
Bravely defended the colors planted on the outward parapet of Fort Hill during the Vicksburg assault on 22 May 1863.
Cox received the Medal of Honor on 31 December 1892. He died at Prairie City, Illinois, on 26 October 1932 and was buried in Prairie City Cemetery.
Support & adopt
Become the named supporter for this profile and edit the tribute biography and portrait (Owner account required). Proceeds help keep the archive online.
$25 USD / year — annual sponsorship renewal. Keeps the page online and, where enabled, the family anniversary remembrance emails active.