The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1867-04-25
HowrHr RADICALS rR1Ar SOLDIERS.


a letter from Waukegan, in relation to the
rejection eta soldier for post master at that
place. The case Is an exact Counterpart of
the rejection Of Capt Copp for post master |
in this city. Capt. Copp, as did the soldier !
at Waukegan, wrote to Senator Yates, solic- |
iting his aid in procuring his confirmation,
Yates, viii e governor, had been heralded |
everywhere as the soldiers friend y Yates
had approved Cops promotion from private
to Captain, through the grade Of sergeant, Sec
ond lieutenant, and FIRST lieutenant; every
soldier had been told that Dick Yates was
his particular friend; that Yates would stand
by the saaaandieFs,-and now that Yates had
been made a senator and had a vote to give
on combinations, why shouldn't he write to
the soldiers friend" asking his help? Yates
appealed to Copp, when the country was in
danger, to 60 to the front and help beat back
the rebels. Copp went at once, and faced
death in defence of the Union. He had
served faithfully, gallantly, bravely, through
the war; was terribly wounded, and barely
escaped with his life; he was competent,
honest, his private character standing equal
to the best. Why shouldn't he appeal to
the "soldiers' friend now. after he had an
swered Yates's appeal, served his country
well, came home, needed employment, and
was admirably fitted for the very place to
which the President had appointed him?
What do you think, reader, was Yates's
answer? Did he promptly say; eyes,
Captain, you came to the assistance of your
country, at my call, and now, when you
want my aid, you shall have it, with all my
heart ?" That kind of an answer would
have looked like being the SOLDIERS friend"
But did Yates thus answer? Read foryour-
self. Here is his answer:
WASHINGTON, D. C. March 5, 1857.
Sir-The seth Congress had expired before
Senator Yates had received your favor enclosing
letter from Gen. Hetehkiss. Combinations are
of the House of Representatives in the respective
Districts. IF Sen. Harding had wished you con-
frmed the Senators would have been governed
by his request to that effect, unless some extraor
binary reason had existed urging them to a con-
trary procedure.
JOHN D. SrRose, clerk.
JAMES f. Corr, Rock Island Illinois.
NoTE.-John D. Strong, is Yates's clerk,
and the letter was franked by Yates.
The long and short of it is that Yates
SAYS: II am senator and have a vote on
"this matter, but must give my vote as
Harding says. If he wants you confirmed
Lot he toll
':to vote for you I can't do it. 1t is true that
"you risked everything for your country,
"while was staying at home, out of harms
sway, living on the fat of the land but then
"that sort of thing is over now, and our par
i'ty friends in Rock Island tell Harding
''that you must be rejected and he must do
s'as they say-and must do as he says, or
''there win be a fuss in the party"
That is the amount of gel-orious Dick
Yates's answer to as good soldier as ever
went to the war.
James F. Copp was an active republican,
when the war broke out; he was one of the
republican township committee, and one OF
their leading young men. Early in the fight
he shouldered his musket and marched to
the front, as private in Co. F. seth Illinois
volunteers. He believed in putting in prac
tice the teachings of his party; and he asked
no clerkship, or quarter masters snug, safe
berth; or any place where bullets did not fly
thickest; but he took his musket and step
ped into the ranks, anxious to serve hi
country and preserve the Union, and willing
to take all the chances and risks of his fel
low soldiers. He was soon promoted to Is
Sergeant, and while engaged, W it'll his com
pany and regiment, in the terrible battle @
Stone River, Tennessee, December 1862, he
was severely wounded in the right arm, by {
musket ball. His arm was shattered, above
the elbow, and he was compelled to 60 t
the hospital, in Murfresboro. While there
he received commission as Second Lieut.
enant, for gallantry in battle. Not long a
forwards he was removed to Nashville. Fl
lay at these hospitals for months, unable t
get leave of absence, his arm in shockin
condition, and his health gradually falling
After some months of suffering he at lengt
succeeded iu getting leave of absence, an
came home, when by the nursing of kin
friends and the aid of skillfnl surgeons hi
arm and his life were saved. Had he re
manned a month longer away from home hi
arm would, inevitably have been lost, an
perhaps his life.
Every days absence from the front was
punishment to him-he could not bear Il
thought ofnot being at his post; and with b
arm in q sling he hurried back to the from
and remained with his regiment to the clos
of the war. He participated in the battle
of Stone River, Liberty Gap, and Knoxvil
Tenn; Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca, Dalla
Pickett's Mills, Pine Top Mountain, Kenn
saw Mountain, Chattahoochie River, Peac
Tree Greek, Atlanta, Jonesboro, and Low
Joy Station, Georgia; thence back to Fran
lin and Nashville Tennessee. He was new
absent from his post of duty but once, an
then on account of his. wound. He W,
promoted to Second Lieutenant, First Lier
enant, and Captain, for bravery and go'
conduct, and, at the close of the war "
honorably mustered out, as Captain, wi
his regiment. He was appointed Post Nj
ter, by the President, and rejected by Di
Yates d Co. at the daiictation of the les.de
OF the radless.i party in this city, Had q