Ira W. Cox Page 1

1st Battalion 22nd Infantry

Died A Hero Under the Stars and Stripes

Page 1

Private Ira W. Cox

Company D 22nd Infantry

Ira W. Cox

Courtesy of Richard Hargis

Below is a poem in his own handwriting written by Ira Cox while serving in the Philippines.
Below the poem is a typed transcription.

Entitled "A Soldier's best friends", the poem conveys the very essence of an Infantryman.
A 22nd Infantryman from the Battle of Chippewa, nearly 100 years before the poem was written
could easily identify with what Ira wrote and so can today's 22nd Infantrymen, over 100 years
after the poem was written.

Courtesy of Richard Hargis

A Soldier's best friends

people can talk of their friends both young and old.
of gallant defenders tried and bold
who come at their side at back and call-
with them through troubles sorrows and all,
but a soldier's best friends in the philippines:
are his trusty rifle and old canteen.
on the march with the sun beating down fierce and hot
with blanket roll haversack and what not
what friend then your heart can cheer
like a drink of water cold and clear
and as the canteen bottom skyward tips,
again on post as a silent vigil you keep
knowing not from where the enemy may creep.

you have a friend then by your side
that will not fail you whatever betide
and at its sharp and angry bark
it leaves an enemy cold and stark,
wrapped in your blanket by the camp fireside
it sleeps as your mistress by your side:
and through all of war's alarms
it is there reposing in your arms
and this friend nestled near your side
is cherished and worshipped with true soldier's pride.

Ira W Cox-----------------------------------------------
Co D 22 U.S. Infantry------------------------------------

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Below is a letter written to Ira's parents, by Pvt. Monroe Sturgill, a friend and fellow soldier from Company D:

Courtesy of Richard Hargis

The above letter was written by Monroe Sturgill, a fellow soldier of Ira Cox in Company D 22nd Infantry.

Monroe Sturgill was born in Floyd County, Kentucky in February 1874.

He enlisted as a Private in the Army for a period of three years on November 12, 1898 at Lexington, Kentucky.
His enlistment record indicated he stood 5 feet 10 ½ inches tall, had brown eyes, black hair and a dark complexion.
His previous occupation was listed as Farmer.

Sturgill was assigned to Company D 22nd Infanty at Fort Crook, Nebraska in November 1898.
He deployed with his Company to the Philippines in March 1899 and took part in engagements
against the insurgents.

In May 1900 Sturgill became seriously ill and was admitted sick into the 2nd Division Field Hospital at
Angeles on the Island of Luzon. He was later transferred to the 4th District Hospital at San Isidro and then
to the Convalescent Hospital on Corregidor. He was shipped to the United States and admitted into the
Hospital at the Presidio at San Francisco, California. The Return of the 22nd Infantry for the month of
September 1900 indicated he was absent from his Company and sick at the hospital at the Presidio.

The records of the hospital at the Presidio indicate Sturgill was transferred to duty on January 9, 1901.
He must not have returned to his Company in the Philippines but most likely was on duty with the
Casual Detachment of the 22nd Infantry at San Francisco, for on July 15, 1901 he was transferred
to the 34th Company of the U.S. Coastal Artillery at the Presidio.

Sturgill was discharged as a Private on November 11, 1901 at Fort Stevens, Oregon due to
expiration of his service with a character rating of Excellent.

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