History of Elizabeth City, (Pasquotank County) North Carolina United States of America

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Biographies:

Clinton L. Cobb, representative, was born in Elizabeth City, N. C., Aug. 25, 1842. He was graduated at the University of North Carolina and was admitted to the bar in 1867. He was a Republican representative in the 41st, 42nd and 43rd congresses, 1869-75, and was the defeated candidate for election to the 44th congress, after which he declined further public office and continued in the practice of his profession at Elizabeth City, N. C., where he died April 30, 1879.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

James Green Martin, soldier, was born in Elizabeth City, N.C., Feb. 14, 1819. He was graduated from the U.S. Military academy in 1840, and promoted 2d lieutenant in the 1st artillery. He served in Maine on frontier and garrison duty, 1840-45, on the coast survey, 1845-46, in Mexico, 1846-47, was promoted 1st lieutenant, Feb. 16, 1847; and captain of staff and assistant quartermaster, Aug. 5, 1847. He was brevetted major, Aug. 20, 1847, for gallant and meritorious conduct in the battle of Contreras, Aug. 14, 1847, and in the battle of Churubusco, Aug. 20, 1847, he lost his right arm. He was on quartermaster duty at Fort Monroe, Va., 1848-55. at Schuylkill arsenal, Pa., 1857-58, and on the western frontier, 1858-61. He resigned his commission, June 14, 1861, returned home and helped to organize the state militia. He was appointed adjutantgeneral of the state and was made general in-chief of the state forces with the rank of major-general. He raised 12,000 men after the quota of North Carolina had been filled and these troops went to Virginia when McClellan advanced upon Richmond. It was at his suggestion that block-aiderunners were employed to bring army supplies from Europe. He was commissioned brigadier-general in the Confederate army in 1862, and with his brigade was ordered to Petersburg. He was ordered back to North Carolina, holding the position of adjutant-general, 1863-64, and surprised the Federal corps at Newport, N.C., in 1864. When Grant's army threatened Petersburg and Richmond, he assumed command of a brigade made up of the 17th, 42d and 66th N.C. regiments and was assigned to Whiting's division, Beauregard's army of defence, and proceeded to Drewry's Bluff, Va., May 15, 1864, fighting the battle of Port Walthall Junction on the 16th. After the siege of Petersburg he commanded the district of western North Carolina and southwestern Virginia up to the close of the war. He practised law in Asheville, N.C., 1867-78, and died there, Oct. 4, 1878.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor