Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-03-13
People of State Are Justly
Proud of His Splendid
Record.
BORN AT "BOWMANS FOLLY"
NEAR ACC0MAC, IN 1855
Dies at Place of Birth After
Having Been in Public Ser
vice for as Years.
ny FRANCES LANKFonD TAYLOR.


General John Chopper. OF Accomack
The people are justly proud OF his
record. and especially are they proud
OF the fact tina, his worth was recog-
hizcd and appreciated 10y General
George Washington.
General Chopper was born at Bow
mans Folly" near Accomack Court
house. December 30. 1855. In 1875.
al the age OF 10. he was chosen
captain Of the hrst militia company
raised In Accomuck; February 5. l77G.
he received his commission. and his
company was attached TO the Ninth
Virginia Regiment. which was com
pr!sed OF five companies from Ac-
coinack. two from Southampton and
three from the Western shore Of
Virginia. In The autumn Of 1876 this
regiment marched from Accomnck to
Morristown. y. J. January 4. l77G.
Chopper was commissioned by Con-
gross major OF the Seventh virginia.
II. fought under General Washing
ton as major at Brandywine and Ger
mantown. ana as lieutenant colonel
OF the Eleventh Virginia AT Mon
mouth. y j. August 10 1879. he
sen; his resignation To John JOY.
accepted but ne was allowed TO rc-
main At ni- home in Accomack until
the end Of the war on Indefinite
leave OF ars"ncc August. 1881, tho
Governor Of Virginia appointed him
county lieutenant Of Accomack and
many were hts encounters with ma
raudcrs IL was severely wounded
In the battle IN CasEcs Straits when
.. -.
Airs. Katherine Bayly Croppcr. Cen
era. Choppers WIFE enthusiastic for
Nirsinia. and was respected and adj
mlred as much az the general him
""lt with her husband she shared
IN" fame whlch he derived from 8,
i"A'i career az a soldier and - pa
'Fiot DURING the long struggle be-
tween the colonies and the mother
Y country Mrs croppcr WAS always
"A helpmate and inspiration 10 her
husband.
Willing TO Help.
He was willing 10 do his part II
we went TO war with France and
oHercd his services To his country
In isl2 when war with England WAS
certain. january. 1915. the Cover
nor OF Virginia commissioned him
I brigadicr- general OF the Twenty
first Brigade.
In 1916 General Chopper was
chosen president of the Virginia
branch of the Cincinnati Society.
he died at Bowman's Folly jan
uary 10. 1871. after having been in
pubic service forty-hve years. lie
was hriEadter- general OF the Eastern
Shorc brigade at the time of his
death.
BESIDES his war service General
Iropper served the Eastern Shore in
inc virginia Legislature for four
years. He was also sheriff of the
county. When General Washington
was appointed commander OF tho
proposed American army at the time
OF the threatened war with France.
one OF his first steps was to write
to General Chopper asking not only
help IN the way OF suggestions. but
his own personal help as an officer
Is given here in part.
From mn Old Letter.
+. An excerpt from letter dated
Mount Vernon. June G. 1899, reads:
"Sir.-May be permitted to give
TO take the command OF regiment
IN the Provisional Army. il you
should be appointed therefor"
Matters were evidently pressing.
judging from letter dated. June II,
1893, as given below.
General Washington to Colonel
John Chopper:
Mount Vernon, June II. 1899.
Sir-Was l not well assured OF
your patriotism and firm attachment
of our country. should think ii
necessary TO apologize for the trouble
j am about to give you.
THE Secretary of War has signifled
TO me that the President of the
' oniled states thinks 1t highly ex-
: pedfent that no time should be lost
In selecting proper characters to Of
hcer the Twenty fourth regiment NJ
infantry authorized to be eventunIIv
raised by law OF the last Congress-.
and has requested me to furnish him
with list OF the names of such nor.
sons as are best qualified and will
ing to serve in the respective grade,
OF four of these regiments, which 10
the proportion allotted to Virginia
Having been absent from home
Tor almost twenty-five years with
short Intervals only. and in these
intervals necessary attention to NV
private concerns combining me nj.
most entirely TO my estate, find my
acquaintance with the citizens Of
TINS state. particularly with the ris-
ing generation, very limited indeed.
Ana. therefore. ready as / always am
10 DO anything in my power to pro-
mote the public veal, 1 find If i'm
possible to perform this task witbou,
me assistance of others on whom 1
can place n reliance.
In Case of War.
AS these troops are authorized m
DC raised only In case Of actual war
with foreign power. or of Imminent,