The Fighting McCooks

Charles T. Webber painted The Fighting McCooks (H 39534) to honor Ohio’s most famous Civil War family. The families of Daniel and John McCook provided a total of fourteen fighting men for the Union cause. This painting depicts Daniel McCook’s family, affectionately known as "The Tribe of Dan." The father, Daniel, died at the battle of Buffington Island, the only Civil War battle fought in Ohio. Three sons, Charles, Robert L. and Daniel, Jr. also died during the war, while Latimer died of his wounds in 1869. Webber added to the family portrait J. James McCook, a son who died in 1842 while serving in the navy.

This painting is a fine example of the many Civil War items in the Society's collections, including both museum objects and archival material. The Fighting McCooks can be seen on the History Mall at the Ohio Historical Center in Columbus.

Key to the Painting:

1. Daniel McCook, - [father] (1798-1863)
   Major, U.S. Volunteers.
   Killed at Buffington Island, Ohio, July 20^th, 1863 during John Morgan’s raid across the state. The only officer of field rank killed in battle on Ohio soil during the Civil War.
   
   
2. Latimer A. McCook , (1820-1869)
   Major and surgeon, 31^st Illinois Volunteers.
   Died from exposure and wounds received in Grant’s campaign against Vicksburg and Sherman’s March to the Sea.
   
   
3. George W. McCook, (1821-1877)
   Lieutenant Colonel, 2^nd Ohio Infantry, Mexican War;
   Colonel 157^th Ohio Infantry, Civil War;
   Attorney General of Ohio, 1854-1856
   
   
4. J. James McCook, (1823-1842)
   Midshipman U.S. Navy.
   Died during naval service at sea and buried in Rio de Janeiro.
   
   
5. Robert L. McCook, (1827-1862)
   Colonel, 9^th Ohio Infantry;
   Brigadier General, U.S. Volunteers.
   Killed near Salem, Alabama, August 6^th, 1862.
   
   
6. Alexander McD. McCook, (1831-1903)
   Colonel, 1^st Ohio Infantry;
   Brigadier General, U.S. Volunteers and U.S. Army.
   The official representative of the United States to the coronation of Czar Nicholas II in 1896.
   
   
7. Daniel McCook, Jr., (1834-1864)
   Colonel, 52^nd Ohio Infantry;
   Brigadier General, U.S. Volunteers.
   Killed in the assault on Kenesaw Mountain, Georgia, June 27^th, 1864.
   
   
8. Edwin Stanton McCook, (1837-1873)
   Colonel, 31^st Illinois Infantry;
   Brigadier General and Brevet Major, U.S. Volunteers.
   Served as Governor of Dakota and was killed by a disgruntled constituent on September 11, 1873.
   
   
9. Charles Morris McCook, (1843-1861)
   Private, Company F, 2^nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
   Killed at the first Battle of Bull Run, July 21^st, 1861.
   
   
10. John J. McCook, (1845-1911)
    Private, Company E, 52^nd Ohio Infantry;
    1^st Lieutenant, 6^th Ohio Cavalry;
    Captain and A.D.C., U.S. Volunteers,
    Brevet Colonel, U.S. Volunteers.
    In later life, he was a Trustee of Princeton University and director of Princeton Theological Seminary.

Related OHS Civil War Materials:

McCook House

Civil War Institute

Ohio Village April Civil War Events

Online Collections Catalog

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