Letter from R. Cooper to Mississippi Governor Charles Clark; March 25, 1865

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Letter from R. Cooper to Mississippi Governor Charles Clark; March 25, 1865

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Document Metadata

Each transcribed document contains links that connect it to other documents on the same topic in the collection.

People

Clark, Charles, 1811-1877 Cooper, D. G.Cooper, R. H.Cooper, Richard Forrest, Nathan Bedford, 1821-1877 Rogers, Unknown Wood, Unknown Yerger, W. B.

Events

Crime Crime--Murder Crime--Threat Criminal Procedure--Arrest Criminal Procedure--Escapes Criminal Procedure--Indictments Military Events--Military transfer Resignation Trial

Military Units

Confederate States of America. Army Confederate States of America. Army. Mississippi. Light Artillery Regiment, 1st

Organizations

Jury

Occupations

Coroners Prison Guard Provost Marshals

Places

Brandon (Miss.)Louisiana Mississippi River Simpson County (Miss.)Texas

Social Identifiers

Military Status--Draft resisters Military Status--Military deserters

Vital Statistics

Death

Page 1

Brandon March 25^th 1865

Gov. Clark

Dear sir

My two Sons Capt D. G. Cooper at Lt. R. H. Cooper are unfortunately placed in embarrassing Circumstances, and I feel a painful Solicitude to extricate them if possible.

When detailed in Simpson County sometime ago by Col Wood to arrest absentees & deserters unfortunately an old man named Rogers was Killed by the provost guard—Neither of my sons were present when the old man was Killed nevertheless the coroner issued a warrant based I believe on the verdict of a jury of inquest, for the arrest of my two sons & Capt Yerger. I am satisfied they are not guilty of any crime—nor do they desire to evade public justice—But the object of the old mans sons and others deserters and lawless men is to seek revenge, and I feel sure if the boys were taken to simpson county, they could not have a fair trial—nor even a show of law or justice—but they would be mobbed in revenge for the supposed or alleged Murder of Rogers. At that time

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there were many deserters and their aiders and abetters in simpson county, and it became and was a very delicate and difficulty duty to perform, as many, on account of their relationship to deserters were of questionable Loyalty. The command was duly advised of the open and armed hostility of Rogers to them,—his severe denunciations and threats to have them bushwhacked &c. He was arrested and in his attempt to escape was shot by the Guard.

There is yet no indictment and may never be. And if a trial only were sought my Sons should not evade it with my consent—but the band will pursue them by other means for revenge merely.

Under these circumstances would not their resignations be accepted, so as to enable them to cross the Missi River with out incurring any just censure from the military or would not the Commanding officer grant them a transfer to the trans Missi department.

If either can be effected I would be glad to have your influence, and advice in the premises. It is not their wish

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to avid duty, but they wish ^to^ escape prosecution and do not wish to become the victims of an unjust revenge—and having long & faithfully served the country in this department, they would continue to do so, where the danger of molestation from these deserters and their associates would not be so great.

Governor will you please advise me to whom their resignations should be directed and forwarded; and if ^in^ your power help me to accomplish the object, if in your opinion it can be done honorably and without any just reflection upon their honor.

Please answer by Dick

Your friend & obdt servt

Richard Cooper

P. S. Is not the power with you to accept their resignations, and if so would not you or Genl. Forest have need for such young men to bear messages or dispatches to Louisiana or Texas, anything Governor that you can do for me in the premises will be duly appreciated

R Cooper

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~~[Letter?]~~ 2

R Cooper Sr
Mch 1865—