The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1871-07-01
CAPTAIN ganles Cooper.


The following sketch of the Democratic
canidate for Surveyor General is fuller, than
any we have seen bsfore. 1t is taken from
the Lawrence county Democrat. and will be
read with interest:
CAPTAIN James Harvey Cooper was born
in Ross township. Allegheny county, Pa,
March 5. 1910. lie lost his parents when
quite Young, and removed to Lawrence
county in 1868. He attended the common
schools until he received as good an educa-
ton as could be obtained by such means
He then engaged in mercantile pursuits with
his brother in Mount jackson. AT the break
ing out Of the rebellion he uDhesitatingiy
made up his mind tc enlist, his love of coun-
try overcoming the persuesioas OF his friends
and his prospects in business. He was elects
ed orderly of the Mount Jackson
Guards, which afterwards became known as
Battery 3. of the first Pennsylvania ArtiI-
lory, 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 gal
liant organization of men. lie vas an active
participant in the battles of Dfainsyiile,
Mcchanicsvilie, Gaines Mil, New Market
Y Roads, Malvern Hills. Gainesville, Second
Bull Run, Chautilly, South Mountain, An
tietau, Fredericksburg, second ChanceiuTs-
vile, Gettysburg, Maine Run, RaP'dan
River, Wilderness, LGuTe! Hill. SDottsyiva-
MIA Court House, North Anna River, and iu
front of Petersburg from the middle Of June,
1864. until the Sth of August, when, after
having served for ovor three months more
than the time for which lie enlisted. lie was
honorably discharged. Before leaving. all
the officers of the regiment serving with the
Army of the Potomac, signed a petition to
the Governor for his appointment as Colonel
Of the regiment. It received very strong
endorsements from General Wainwright,
commanding the Artillery Brigade, General
Hunt. Chief Of Artillery of the Army 0f the
Potomac, and Gen. Meade. This petition
be never presented. Gov. Curtin afterwards
in conversation with mutual friend, regret
ted that Captain Cooper had not presented it.,
as he said it would have been pleasure to
him to promote so gallant an officer. The
Governor commissioned him Major without
any solicitation. We feel safe in asserting
that no man in the army was more esteemed
by his brother officers, for those noble and
manly qualities which make the true gentle
man, than was Captain Cooper. His rePuta
ton as a soldier was without q blot He was
the special favorite of that other gallant SOL
dier, General John Z. Reynolds. Words can
nation in which he was held by all those
with whom he came in contact. At the first
battle of Fredericksburg, when Battery B
stood immova ble-the only opposition on the
left Of the line to the enemy marching to the
river in the rear of the army-General Rey
uolds said, Captain Cooper is one of the
bravest and coolest men under fire | ever
saw" His name is known all over the
State. As to integrity Of character. he is
known sufficiently we'll TO orr readers geuer-
ally TO make it unnecessary for US to say auv
more than that his straightforward. open,
frank disposition is only equalied by his
moaesty and unassumiDg yet easy manners.
His kindly beaming eye is the index to a no.
BILE, benevolent heart, and tie casual ac-
quaintanCe is won 20 fast friendship. His
business qualifications are of higa order,
and the office of Surveyor General could be
placed in ne better hands. He Is also a self
made man. and a representative of the labor
ing men of the country, having for the past
four years worked day after day on saw
mill. where with coat off, he was laboring to
regain his business. fortunes, unfortunately
bat completely sacrificed while battling for
his country. In this too be shows the true
spirit of the gentleman. adverse ci-cumstan-
ces being powerless and in vain TO discourage
and defeat him in business life.
For all these and many other reasons,
hundreds of voters throughout the State,
without regard to party, will cast their ball
lots for Captain Cooper. The Democracy in
placing our favorite on the ticket, expect q
good report from Lawrence county at the
next election, and assured she will
do her duty. Let US all go to work now,
and take native pride in one who so nebly
sustained the reputation of our county in the
'times that tried mems souls"
General McCandess, the candidate for
Auditor General, is a favorite in Philadelphia
and the eastern part of. the State, aud to-
gether, McCandess and Cooper make one of
the strongest and best tickets the Democracy
has ever selected.