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

It is source Of great qualification to
all good people that Colonel James s..
Cothran, of Abbeville, has been elected
Solicitor of the Eighth Judicial Circuit,
and that, too, by an absolutely over
whelming majority. A better man could
not have been chosen for this responsible
official station nor one more thoroughly
identified with the wishes and interests
of the whole people.
Colonel Cothran was born in Abbeville
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
as Shatterfeld. Here he was reared and
under the apt construction of Frank
Cook, one of the most celebrated country
schoolmasters of that day received his
first schooling at the old academy at
Tranquil Methodist church. After this
he attended the various old field schools
in the neighborhood until his eleventh
or twelfth year when he was sent to
Bethany Academy in Edge6eld county
under the tuition of number of first
class teachers-Robert O. Perrin, Sam
uel NJ. Bradford, A. G.. Brewer, and
George Galphin. In 1S47 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
in the summer of lS49 and then returned
to his home 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, 1852, 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 at this place in January, 1855, and
in July of the same year was married to
Miss Emma Perrin, second daughter of
the Hon. T. G. Perrin Of this place.
In the beginning Of 1856 the partner
ship hitherto existing between MCGOWAN
& Perrin was dissolved and the law firm
of Perrin and Cothran was established,
and still exists, having acquired a repu-
tation 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 and held no Office. He was in
love with his profession and completely
devoted to it. Unlike many youthful
professional men, he believed that the
surest way to 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 to bring about the most griev-
Gus calamities. He drifted with the cur
rent of popular sentiment, however, and
"accepted the situation" in good faith.
He was as jealous Of and devoted to the
reputation and powers of the common
wealth as any man in the State, and in
March, 1861, went into service as Assist
ant Adjutant-G General of McGowan's
Brigade of State troops. When the offer
of troops was made to the Confederate
States Government this organization was
disbauded as originally formed and as
Confederate troops were oficered by
graduates of West Point. By the way,
this action of the Confederate authorities
was in the highest degree reprenensible
and provoked great deal of hard feeling
amongst those who had been patriotic
enough to organize and enlist the State
troops. 1t was 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 and unjust to GUST 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 in company already raised by
the lamented James NJ. Perrin. On July
10Th 1861, he was mustered into the Con-
fcderate service, along with his command,
at Sandy Springs in Anderson county
and remained there for short time in.
camp of instruction. His company
formed part of Orr's command which
was then known as "Orr's Legion" and
afterwards as the first Regiment of Rifles,
s. C. ", but more familiarly as "Orr's
Rifles" The regiment was transferred to
Sullivau's Island, Charleston Harbor,
and in the Spring of 1862 went to Vir-
ginia. While in camp at Sandy Springs
Cothran was elected to lietenancy to
fill 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
an intrepid, daring leader, and had the
misfortune to be wounded in the opening
of almost every engagement in which ne
took part. He was wounded three times
first, at second Manassas where he was
dangerously wounded in the leg, that
member being shattered; second, at the
bloody and terrific struggle at Chancellors-
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 kind of genuine patent of no
bility. 1t has somewhat marred the
contour of his face but it is worth a for
tune.
During the winter of lse4,65 Colonel
Cothran was temporarily placed as judge
advocate on A. P. Hill's corps court, the
duties of which position he ably and sat
isfactorily discharged. He rose from the
rank of a private to that of captain of
the old company with which ne went out u,
to service. He succeeded Colonel j. L.
Robertson as Captain of company B. the
th;r1 commanding officer from CAPTAIN