John Joseph Coppinger – Brigadier General, United States Army

John Joseph Coppinger of Ireland
Appointed from New York, captain, 14th United States Infantry, 30 September 1861
Colonel, 15th New York Cavalry, 30 September 1861
Honorably mustered out of the volunteer service, 17 June 1865
Transferred from the 14th United States Infantry to the23rd United States Infantry, 21 Sepmber 1866
Major, 10th United States Infantry, 20 March 1879
Lieutenant Colonel, 18th United States Infantry, 31 October 1883
Colonel, 23rd United States Infantry, 15 January 1891
Brigadier General, 25 Aprul 1895
Major General of United States Volunteers, 4 May 1898
Honorably discharged from the volunteer service, 31 october 1898
Brevetted Major, 12 June 1864, for gallant and meritorious service in the battle of Trevillian Station, Virginia
Brevetted Lieutenant Colonel, 19 October 1864, for gallant and meritorious service at the battle of Cedar Creek, Virginia,
Brevetted Colonel, 1 December 1868, for zeal and energy while in command of troops opeating against hostile Indians in 1866, 1867 and 1868
Retired 11 October 1898

This gallant soldier first entered the Warwickshire Militia, being gazetted Ensign 1857, and Lieutenant in 1858.  He left Ireland early in life, volunteering with a number of young Irish gentry for the service of the Pope, when he became involved in hostilities with the Italian Liberals. He served creditably as a Captain in the Papal Army, and received the rank of Chevalier for his gallantry at the defence of La Roca gateway in September, 1860.

After the triumph of Garibaldi young Coppinger, with many of his Irish comrades, returned to their homes in Ireland, and when war for the suppression of the Rebellion in the States broke out in 1861 five of them received, through the intercession of Archbishop Hughes, commissions in the Union army.

Four of the five received staff positions which ended with the war, while Coppinger was made a Captain in the 14th Infantry, which permanently connected him with the army. Captain Coppinger served gallantly through the war, and was severely wounded at the second Battle of Bull Run. He was again wounded in the Battle of Appomattox, where General Lee surrendered 9th April, 1865.

He was also engaged at Chancellorsville, Gethysburg, Mine Run, The Wilderness, Hanover Crossing, Cold Harbor, Newton, Fisher’s Hill, Cedar Creek, Five Forks, and a score or more of minor engagements.  He received two brevets for his “gallant and meritorious services,”  and in January, 1865, he was placed in command of the 15th New York Cavalry as its Colonel, a position which he held until the regiment was mustered out of service at the close of the war.  He was soon afterwards ordered to the frontier, where in 1868 he was brevetted colonel for “the zeal and energy which he displayed in command of troops operating against hostile Indians.” Meanwhile he has been promoted to be Major of the 10th Infantry, and for several years past he has served as acting Inspector-General of the Department of the Missouri on the staff of General Pope, a position only given to those thoroughly versed in the manual, drill, the equipment, and the discipline of the army.

Colonel Coppinger was married on the 6th February, 1883, in Washington, to Alice Stanwood, eldest daughter of the Honble. James G. Blaine, ex-Senator and Secretary of State. The marriage was attended by President Arthur, who adjourned the regular meeting of the Cabinet that he and his constitutional advisors might attend; and also by the Speaker of the House and the whole Diplomatic Corps. General Sherman, with a large number of military officers, and Admiral Worden, with a considerable number of naval officers, were present at this ceremony.

COPPINGER, JOHN J
BRIG GEN USA
VETERAN SERVICE DATES: Unknown
DATE OF DEATH: 11/05/1909
DATE OF INTERMENT: Unknown
BURIED AT: SECTION OFFRS  SITE 859
ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

Michael Robert Patterson

Michael Robert Patterson was born in Arlington and is the son of a former officer of the US Army. So it was no wonder that sooner or later his interests drew him to American history and especially to American military history. Many of his articles can be found on renowned portals like the New York Times, Washingtonpost or Wikipedia.

Reviewed by: Michael Howard