The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1876-11-30
Our New Solicitor,

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wheimirg majority. A better man could
not have been chosen for this responsible
Official station nor one moro thoroughly
Identified with the wishes aud interests
of the whole people.
Colonel Cothran was born in Abbevile
county on August 8, 1880, in that rather
extensive section Of country comprising
portion OF this county and extending
across the border into Edgefeld, known
IA Shatterfield. Here he was reared and
under the apt construction Of Frank
COOK, one OF the most celebrated country
schoolmasters Of that day received lis
first schooling Mt the old academy ut
Tranquil Methodist church. After this
he attended the various old field schools
III the neighborhood until his eleventh
or twelfth year when he WAS sent to
bethany Academy in Edgefield county
under the tuition of a number of first
class teachers-Robert o. Perrin, Sam
uel M. Bradford, A. G. Brewer. and
George Galphin. In l847 his father re-
moved 10 Georgia and located at Rome
IN that State. Here the subject of this
sketch was prepared for college and in
, 1S4S returned to this State and entered
the sophomore class in Erskine College
at Due West. Here he remained until
the close OF the regular collegiate session
III the sumrer of lS49 and then 'olurned
to his hoh.a in Georgia. Returning
home he marticulated as @ student in the
University of Georgia at Athens, enter.
ing the sophomore class. In 1852. after
taking the full University course ofstudy.
he graduated from this institution. In
October, 1862, he came to Abbeville and
entered the Office of Perrin, MCGOWAN
and Perrin as student of law. After
two years hard application he was ad-
mitted to the practice of the profession
by the supreme court of the State in De-
cember. 1854. He began the practice of
law a, his place in January, 1855, and
III July OF the same year was married to
bliss Emma Perrin, second daughter of
the Hon. I. G. Perrin of this place.
In the beginning of 1856 the partner
ship hitherto existing between MCGOWAN
q Perrin was dissolved and the law firm
of Perrin and Cothran was established,
and still exists, having acquired repu-
tatioE perhaps unequalled by that of any
similar man in the State. Up until the
beginning of hostilities between the sec.
tions, Colonel Cothran took no part in
politics md held no. Office He was in
love vii MS profession and completely
devoted e. it. Unlike many youthful
professit n,l men, he believed that the
surest wa 10 gain reputation and honor
was by close attention to the duties and
responsibilities of his chosen profession
and hence refused to enter upon the
doubtful field Of politics and vexations.
Colonel Cothran was opposed to any
violent measures with regard to secession
movement. His better sense taught him
that such action was unwise, premature
and sure 70 bring about the most griey-
GUS calamities. He drifted with the cur
rent of popular sentiment, however, and
accepted the situation" in good faith.
He was rs jealous of and devoted to the
reputation and powers of the common
wealth as any man in uie State, and in
March, 1861, went into service as Assist
ant Adjutant-General of McGowan's
Brigade OF State troops. When the offer
OF troops was made to the Confederate
States Govefnment this organization was
disbanded as originally formed and as
Confederate troops were differed by
graduates of West Point. By the way
this action Of the Confederate authorities
was in the highest degree reprenensible
sEd provoked great deal of hard feel;.p
amongst those who had been patriotic
enough to organize and enlist the State
troops. 1t was u bit of favoritism not in
accordance with any right system of re-
wards and merits and has met with the
almost universal disapprobation of the
rank and file of the old army. 1t was
wise and proper to recognize the superior
military knowledge of those who had
graduated at West Point but it was de.
cidedly wrong aud unjust to oust those
who had rallied to the front at the first
call for volunteers. After this action of
the authorities Colonel Cothran returned
to his home and at once re-enlisted as a
private III company already raised by
the lamented James Nj. Perrin. On JULY
18th 1861, he was mustered into the Con-
federate service, along with his command,
at Sandy Springs in Anderson county
and remained there for q short time in
camp of instruction. His. COMPANY
formed a part of Orr's command. which
was then known as "Crr's Legion" and
afterwards as the first Regiment of Rifles,
:. y. ", but more familisrly as "Orr's
Rifles" The regiment was transferred to
sullivan's Island, Charleston Harbor,
and in the Spring of 1862 went to Vir-
ginia. While in camp at Sandy Springs
Cothran was elected to q lietenancy to
fill a vacancy caused by the transfer of
Lieut.. afterwards Captain,J. G. Edwards
to the commissary department. Colonel
Cothran went to Virginia with his regi-
ment and took part in most of the bril-
liant campaigns of the Army of northern
Virginia. He was brave soldier and
IN intrepid. daring leader, and had the
misfortune to be wounded in the opening
OF almost every engagement in which he |
took part. He was wounded three times
first, ut second Manassas where ne was
dangerously wounded in the leg, that
member being shattered; second, ut the |
bloody and terrific struggle at Chanccllors-
vile, where he had his right arm broken;
and third, at Jericho Ford where he was
badly wounded in the face, which last
conspicuous mark he now personally
wears as q kind of genuine patent of no.
bility. 1t has somewhat married the
contour of his face but it is ~orth a for
tune. e 'tT
During the winter of 1876 Colonel
Cothran was temporarily placed as judge |
advocate on a. p. Hills corps court. the !
duties of which position lie ably and sat |
isiactorily discharged. He rose from the |
rank of n private to that of captain of |
the old company with which he went out |
to service. He succeeded Colonel j. T. |
Robertson as Captain OF company b. the |
third commanding officer from Captain |
Perrin. On his return home after the |
close of the war he was commissioned q |
Colonel of militia by Governor Orr but
in the general confusion of that period |
never had command He was present
at the last sad act in this bloodiest of all |
dramas aud Mt AppomattOx surrendered |
his sword unsulliea by a single stain.
Here he was honorably paroled aud re-