The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1871-08-25
COL. DEM. -. VOL.:XXXV;. NO. q

CAPT. JAMES Harry COOPER was
born in Ross township, Allegheny
county, Pa, March 9th, 1910. He lost
his parents when quite young, and re-
moved to Lawrence county in 1858. He
attended the common schools until he
received rs good an education as could
be obtained by such means. He then
engaged in mercantile pursuits with
his brother in Mount Jackson. At the
breaking out of the rebellion he unhes-
itatingly made up his mind to enlist,
his love of country overcoming the
persuasions of his friends and his pros
poets in business. He was elected Or
derly Sergeant of the Mount Jackson
Guards which afterwards became
known as Battery B, of the First Penn.
sylvania Artillery, but more frequently
taking his own name-Cooper's Battery.
To write of what he did during his
term OF enlistment, would only be to
re-write the history of that gallant or
| ganization of men. He was an active
participant in the battles of Drainsville,
Mechanicsvillc, Gaines Mill, New
Market Y Roads, Malvern Hill, Gaines.
vile, Second Bull Run, Chantilly,
South Mountain, Antietam, Frederlcks.
burg first and fredericksburg second,
Charlottesville, Gettysburg, Mine
Run, Papidan River, Wilderness,
Laurel Hill, Spottsylvania Court House,
North Anna River, in front of Peters.
burg from the middle of June, 1864, un-
til the Sth Of August, when, after hav-
ing served for over three months more
than the time for which he enlisted, he
was honorably discharged. Before
leaving, all the officers of the regiment
serving with the army Of the Potomac,
signed petition to the Governor for
his appointment as Colonel of the regi-
ment. II received very strong endorse
mont from Gen. Wainright, command
ing the Artillery Brigade, Gen. Hunt,
Chief of Artillery Of the Army of the
Potomac, and Gen. Meade. This peti.
ton he never presented Gov. Curtin
, afterwards, in a conversation with G
! mutual friend, regretted that Capt
q Cooper had not presented it, as he sale
it would have been pleasure to him t
/. have promoted SO gallant an officer
The Governor commissioned him Ma
: jor without any solicitation. We fee
,s safe in asserting that no man in tn,
l. army was more esteemed by his brothe
Y officers, for those noble and manly quail
Is tiles which make the true gentleman
than was Capt. Cooper. His reputation
l. as soldier is without blot. He wa
s. the special favorite of that gallant So
re dier, Gen. John +. Reynolds. Word
can scarcely convey to the reader tn
u high estimation in which he was hel
,e by all those with whom he came |
~ contact. At the first battle of Frede
y icksburg, when Battery B stood in
~ moveable-the only opposition on tt
y, left of the line to the enemy marchir
~ ~ to the river in the rear of our army
-. ~ Gen. Reynolds said: "Capt. Cooper
~ one of the bravest and coolest men III
=, der fire ever saw. His name is know
-, all over the State. AS to integrity
- character, he is known sufficient
re well to our readers generally, to NAL
Q it unnecessary for us to say more tha
I that his straightforward, open, fran
II. disposition is only equalled by h
IN modesty and unassuming yet easy ma
n. ners. His kindly, beaming eye is IL
al index to q noble, benevolent heart, ar
the casual acquaintance is won to ia
friendship. Ills business qualification
are Of a high order, and the Office
at Surveyor General could be placed in
w better hands. He is also a selma,
le man, and a representative of the labo
on ing men of the country, having for ii
,is past four years worked in saw mi
,p where, with coat off, he has labored
th regain his business fortunes, unfortu
np ately but completely sacrificed VIII
h. battling for his country. In this, tC
nm he shows the true spirit of the gent
If man, adverse circumstances being po
is erless and in vain to discourage and {
bv feat him in business life.
.o For all these ana many other reasol
or hundreds of voters throughout the Stt
m without respect to party, will cast tn
oil. ballots for Capt. Cooper. The Demt
raj racy, in placing our favorite on t
to ticket, expects good report from La
ee, renee county at the next election, a
in. we are assured that she will do her {
er. ty. Let Us all go to work now, and ia
ch. a native pride in one who so nobly S
mel tanned the reputation of our country
ent the "timos that tried mems souls.
ar. NeC Castle Gazette.