Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1861-08-30
The Rebel Generals.

Some particulars, in the nature Of bio
graphical notice, of the rebel generals, will be
of interest Just now. Gen. Samuel Cooper is
the senior officer. This gentleman was born
in Delaware County, in this State, and was
sent to the Military Academy, where he
graduated in 1917. He was soon placed on
staff duty, generally at Washington; was
military secretary, believe, of Mr.. Poinsett,
in all events of the Secretary of War; chief
clerk of that department, then an aid to Gen.
McComb, general-in-chief of the army, and
subsequently an assistant Acknowledgement.
In this bureau, by personal and political in
fuence, he went through the various grades,
till on the death of Gen. Roger Jones, he be-
came :1;".sn. ,encc:::c,,, which nacs he re.
signed last spring. Co. Cooper married
Miss Mason, a sister Of the ex-senator from
Virginia. His son-in-law, Frank Wheaton,
now colonel of the I'd Rhode Island Regi-
ment, was appointed lieutenant in the lst
cavalry where he remained till transferred as
above. Gen. Cooper never saw battle, and
except for few months, 45 years since,
never had the actual command Of man,
much less an army. Generals Johnston and
Lee had regular military education, but
most of the latter's service in our army was
in staff position, and he never has had an
important command. He is Viginian by
birth, and an accomplished man. He married
Miss Curtis, the only child of the late George
w. P. Curtis. She inherited from her father
Arlington, opposite Washington, and also
other extensive plantations on the Kappa
hanock River. Mrs. Lee is in favor of the
Union, and was few weeks since residing,
almost unknown, in Washington. Gen.
Johnston, held staff appointment as pay.
master for some time, and was one of the
army for several years. His battle record
excepting in subordinate capacity, is yet to
be made. He and Gen. Lee were always
deemed efficient and intelligent officers, bu,
never ranked above many Of their associates
Gen. Beauregard graduated second in his
class, and became brevet second lieutenant
of engineers, rising to captaincy, which he
held when he resigned. Passia, We remark
that Rufus King of Wisconsin, native o.
this city, and Geo. w. Merrill of Cooperstowr
both reported appointed Brigadier-General;
in our service, each graduated first at the
Point. Gen. B. was never considered super
ior OF the equal even of Major Barnard
Capts Benham, Fraser, and other officers O
the engineer corps. His experience was il
Mexico as an engineer officer on general:
staff The duties are simply to direct ant
construct Notifications, batteries, &C., ant
have no more connection with the disposition
or handling OF troops in the field than be
longs to the duties Of the medical staff or tht
chaplain At Ball Run he had an opportuni
ty to show his engineering ability in erecting
masked batteries, and other works, and ther
fought the battle. At 81 o'clock he was de
feated by our forces, and would have faller
back on Manassas or Richmond but for tn
appearance of Gen. Johnston with 1000 fresl
troops. This was Gen. BIS first battle. 1t
results, while he alone was responsible, d.
not warrant the high cncomiums passed o,
h:m.-Ne,c York Tribune.