Includes his signature on the reverse of the card
United States Congressman and Senator from Pennsylvania
Practiced law in Gettysburg, Pa. before the war
Died on active duty in 1863 while in charge of Camp Chase Prison near Columbus, Ohio
(1810-63) Born in Frederick County, Maryland, he was educated at St. Mary's College, in Emmitsburg, Pa., and at Washington College, in Washington, Pa., where he graduated in 1832. He studied law under the famous Thaddeus Stevens in Gettysburg, was admitted to the bar in 1834, and commenced a practice in Gettysburg. He served as a U.S. Congressman, 1838-43, and was chairman of the committee on Indian Affairs. He then served in the Pennsylvania legislature, 1843, 1844, 1846 and 1848, serving one term as speaker of the house. He served as attorney general of Pennsylvania in 1848. Served as U.S. Senator, 1849-55. In 1861, President Abraham Lincoln authorized Cooper to raise a brigade of loyal Marylanders and appointed him to rank of brigadier general. He served under General John C. Fremont in West Virginia in 1861, and in the 1862 Shenandoah Valley campaign, and commanded a brigade in General Franz Sigel's division of General Nathaniel P. Banks's army. In September 1862, he was ordered to take charge of Camp Chase prison near Columbus, Ohio, where he died on active duty on March 28, 1863.
Wet plate, albumen carte de visite photograph, mounted to 2 3/8 x 4 card. Standing view wearing a double breasted frock coat with rank of brigadier general and posing with his arms folded across his chest. His bummer's kepi with U.S. hat wreath insignia sits on top of a studio table at his side. Imprint on the front mount, Brady, Washington. There is a very large ink signature, "James Cooper, Pa." affixed to the back of the card. Very fine pair of items relating to this Union Pennsylvania general who died during the Civil War. |