Brigadier General Samuel K. Zook.
SKETCH OF HIS LIFE--CIVIC AND MILITARY PREPA-
RATIONS FOR HIS FUNERAL, ETC.
This gallant and meritorious officer, who is to be buried
to-morrow, was born at Port Kennedy, Montgomery
county, Pennsylvania, on the 28th of March, 1822. For a
number of years he was connected with the telegraph in-
terest of the country as operator and manager of various
lines, at one time being Superintendent of the People's
Line from Louisville to New Orleans. Some of his inven-
tions and improvements in telegraphing were of merit,
and among these was one which his death prevented
from being fully perfected, but which, as far as it
had been tried, gave evidence of future success--
a caveat for which has been filed in the Patent Office. For
some years military silence had been an absorbing study
with General zook. He became attached to the military
of this city, as major, and afterwards as lieutenant
colonel of the Sixth regiment, Governor's Guards. At the
outbreak of the rebellion, the Sixth volunteered for a
three months' term. Colonel Zook was laid up with a se-
vere attack of Rheumatism at the time, but before the
regiment returned he joined it at Annapolis, and per-
formed good service. After his term was out, he orga-
nized a regiment in part, which was consolidated with
another complete organization, forming together the
Fifty-seventh, to whose cammand he was assigned by the
Governor. This regiment, now a mere fragment, soon
became noted for its discipline and efficiency, and its
commander for the manner in which he handled
it. It on several occasions received the encomi-
ums of distinguished regular officers and foreigners
of note, among the rest of the Prince de Joinville. During
the campaign on the Peninsula it was the covering or rear
regiment in Sumner's corps, and, consequently, in the
series of battles fought on the retreat, held the post of
honor. During that campaign, Colonel Zook commanded
the brigade to which he was attached at the battles of
Peach Orchard and Savage's Station, and partly at White
Oak Swamp. He also commanded at Fredericksburg,
where his conduct was especially mentioned in official
despatches. He received his commission as brigadier
general November 25, 1862, through the impression his
conduct and services had made on his corps com-
manders and officers in the regular service,
as he had no friends at court "to urge his promotion."
After this he led his brigade at Chancellorsville, with
great distinction, and was again mentioned in a highly
favorable manner. He had command at Gainesville of
French's old division (First of the Second corps), and was
despatched in a second command, of the division, two
batteries of artillery and two squadrons of cavalry, from
Gainesville, to effect a junction with the main army at
Edward's Ferry. At Gettysburg he was in command of
his brigade, as the Second corps was advancing to the
support of the Third, and while at its head received the
wound which cost him his life. A minie ball entered the
left side of the stomach, perforating his sword belt, and
lodging in the spine. He was taken to a house about half a
mile in the rear of the field. On Friday morning he was taken
two and a half miles further to the rear, to a farm house ab-
andoned by its occupants, whre he died at a quarter before
five in the afternoon. He was cool and composed to the
last. About fifteen minutes before his death he turned
and quietly asked the doctor--after hearing those who
had bid him hope--about how long he had to live. A
little while previously he had requested his aid, Lieute-
nant Favill, to ascertain and let him know how the action
was going. The latter officer reported that the bands had
been ordered to the front, the flags were flying, and the
enemy in retreat. "Then I am perfectly satisfied," said
the General, "and ready to die."
General Zook was also Military Governor of Falmouth,
from November 25 until a short while after the battle of
Fredericksburg, and his administration of affairs seemed
to please the inhabitants as well as our troops, being
strict, impartial and rigidly just.
In person General Zook was rather under the middle
size, strongly built, and had great powers of physical en-
durance. In private life he was known as a man of
honor, probity, and unobstrusive worth. In the field he
was cool, collected and energetic, and weilded his brigade
with the utmost ease and efficiency. As an officer an a
man he was a great loss to a service of which he was an
efficient member, and in which he bade fair to rise to a
higher position.
The funeral will take place on Monday afternoon,
under the auspices of the Committee on National
Affairs. The body is at present laid out in state in the
Governor's room in the City Hall. It is contained in a
most costly rosewood coffin, secured with diamond shaped
silver nails, and otherwise elegantly decorated with
flowers, flags, &c. On the lid of the coffin were the
sword, sash, belt, and cap of the deceased General, be-
sides a beautiful wreath of flowers, encircling a silver
plate containing the following inscription:
BRIGADIER GENERAL
JAMES K. ZOOK, U. S. V.
Killed in action, at Gettysburg, July 2, 1863.
Aged 41 years.