The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1898-05-07
C0PPINGER IN COMMAND.

COPPINGER IN COMMAND.
! The Alabama Troops Will Have a
Brave Catholic Leader.
The camp ground selected for the
troops at Mobile is four miles from the
city in the healthiest portion of the coun-
ty. Rising ground, we'll drained and
! watered, with all railroad, street car,
and telegraph facilities, comprising GOO
acres of pine land Gen. Coppinger, who
inspected the site, is perfectly satisfied
with Major Ponds choice.
Gen. John Coppinger, the gallant ex-
papal soldier and patriot, has an interest
ing history, which is quite to the point
at present To begin with he is staunch
Catholic, and this has somewhat hindered
rapid though well deserved promotion.
His promotion to a brigadier general was
confirmed by the senate April 25, 1885,
after somewhat singular opposition by
the A. P. A. The A. P. A. society was
at that time obtrusive and somewhat
the face Of war, it is not likely to object
to the services of any Catholic. The vote
confirming Gen. Coppinger, notwith-
standing the opposition of the A. p. A.,
was "A to II.
Previous to that Gen. Coppinger had
met with obstacles that checked his
promotion. He had married the daughter
! of James G. Blaine and Mrs. Blaine re-
quested President Harrison to promote
him to the brigadiership then vacant
Harrison declined to make the appoint
ment, as the promotion would jump
older men in the service, who deserved
the rank equally as much. From this in
| cident occurred the break in friendship
| between Blaine and Harrison.
| Gen. Coppinger was born in Ireland
He early developed the military instincts
and fought in the Papal army in 1860
| He did gallant work in the defense of
OF La Rocca gateway at Rome, during
the war in which the Papal troops en-
deavored to hold the popes temporal do
| mlnlon against the revolt promoted by
the French and the Garibaldians. The
light at La Rocca gateway caused Cop
pinger to be made chevalier He came to
the United States when the rebellion
broke out and was appointed captain in
the Fourteenth United States infantry,
! September 30, 1861. He was colonel of the
Fifteenth New York cavalry from Jan
uary ~, 1866, to June II, 1865, when he
was honorably mustered out as a brevet
brigadier of volunteers. On Spet 81, 1866,
he was appointed captain of the Twenty
third United States infantry, became
major of the Tenth infantry, lieutenant
colonel Of the Eighteenth, colonel of the
Twenty-third infantry, and finally, April
25, 1895, brigadier general. In rank he
is second on the list of brigadiers and
the fourth in the line of seniority after
General Miles, who commands the army.
General Coppinger is good soldier,
has had experience fighting Indians.
He may be called upon to lead our arr.
Of invasion.
Gen. Coppinger and Rev. M. Cougnlin,
pastor of st. Michael's, New Orleans, are
great friends, both having served to-
gether in the Papal army.
The Holy Rosary Calendar fer the
month of May, published by the Domini-
can Fathers CT this city, gives editorial
expression to the following concerning
our trouble with SPAIN eve
arc now on the verge of what
may TO long and bitter conflict. Our
whole nation is excited over the war in
which she is involved, and thousands
are offering their services to defend
their conntry's flag, and it is the duty
her share towards maintaining the hon
Or of the Stars and Stripes. The time
foi argument Is over and the justice OF
injustice Of war with Spain is not
mooted question; let posterity give to
it's generations its opinions, for us there
remains but to know that it is Just,
right, obligatory to defend "Old Glory"
against the insults of any nation that
dare tear it from its staff. Never vet
has it been dragged in the dust. From
every conflict has it returned to a
peaceful home. tattercd perhaps and
stained with the life-blood of It's heroes,
but always with honor. And it shall
not be said now that tho sons or the
! daughters Of our nation are wanting in
the hero:s:n and patriotism that Is SYM
holized by the names Of their fore
J fathers"