George W. Cole (March 26, 1827 – December 9, 1875) was an officer in the Union Army during the American Civil War. His wartime commands included the 2nd United States Colored Cavalry Regiment, and he attained the rank of major general by brevet. In 1867 Cole was accused of murder after he killed L. Harris Hiscock, a member of the New York State Assembly. Cole accused Hiscock of an affair with Mrs. Cole; his first trial ended with a hung jury, and he was acquitted at the second on the grounds of "momentary insanity".
On June 4, 1867, Cole shot and killed L. Harris Hiscock in Albany.[16] Hiscock was a member of the New York State Assembly, a delegate to the 1867 state constitutional convention, and a friend of Cole's.[17][18] Cole accused Hiscock of having an affair with Mrs. Cole while Cole was away serving in the army.[19] He was charged with murder; defended by Amasa J. Parker, his first trial ended in a hung jury, and he was acquitted at his second on the grounds of "momentary insanity".[20]
Later life
After he was acquitted, the Coles remained married, but lived separately; Mrs. Cole lived with her brother Henry in Trumansburg, New York. George Cole worked in the registrar's office of the New York City Post Office.[21] In 1874 he moved to New Mexico in search of a drier climate, which was necessitated by injuries and illness related to his military service.[22] While living in New Mexico, Cole was active in real estate speculation and resumed the practice of medicine.[23][24]
Death and burial
Cole did not recover his health; he died in Mora, New Mexico from the effects of pneumonia on December 9, 1875.[25][26] He was buried at Saint Vrain Cemetery in Mora.[27]
^Smith, Marsha, Backbone Ridge History Group (June 1, 2013). "George Washington Cole"(PDF). The Backbone. Trumansburg, NY. pp. 1, 3.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
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