AN INCIDENT OF THE LATE BATTLE, BY AN EYE WITNESS.
Shortly after the main body of the army was in retreat, a charge was made by the enemy’s cavalry upon the hospital grounds, at Elgin’s Ford, and those around the well who were procuring water to carry to the wounded. At this time, Charles Morris McCook, only seventeen years of age, of Company F, Second Regiment Ohio Volunteers, the youngest son in the army of Judge Daniel McCook, was also at the well, when his return to his regiment was cut off by a section of the cavalry. He retreated along the line of a fence and discharged his musket, killing one of the enemy. He then entered an open field, and was attacked by the leader of the troop, who had been attracted to him by his fatal shot, and commanded to surrender. He replied “No, never; never to a rebel.” He manfully kept the trooper off with his bayonet, his gun being empty. The rebel not being able to take him prisoner, took a course around him and shot him in the back, then approaching the wounded boy he cried, “Now, damn you, will you surrender?” He replied, “No, never, no, no, never.” The father of the young McCook, who, with another gallant son, Edwin S. McCook, had been busy all day carrying the wounded from the battle field to the hospital, discovering the perilous situation of his beave and loyal son, called out, “Young Man, surrender.” He answered, “No, never, never.” The trooper then began striking him with the flat of his sword over the shoulders, saying at the same time that he would pierce him through. His father seeing that his boy was wounded, insisted upon his surrendering, as he had done all that a soldier could do. The noble boy, bleeding, unarmed, and almost helpless, then surrendered. His father approached the commander and asked for the prisoner to place him in the hospital, offering to hold himself responsible for his safety as a prisoner of war, when the villain replied, “Damn your responsibility; I know you.” After some words, the wounded prisoner was reluctantly handed over to be taken to the hospital. The trooper then dashed round the hospital to assist in carrying off Lieutenant Wilson, of the Second New York Regiment, who was then in the hands of a horseman. This dragoon was shot by a stray ball as the trooper came up, and Lieutenant Wilson, finding himself free from his captor, drew his revolver, and shot his pursuer in the neck, killing him instantly.
(Washington, DC) Evening Star, 7/30/1861
See also on this site – McCooks
Charles Morris McCook at Ancestry
Harry Smeltzer
Bull Runnings 
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