★ Copeland, Joseph T.

Joseph Tarr Copeland​

Born: May 6, 1813

Birthplace: New Castle, Maine

Father: Royal Copeland 1791 – 1861

(Buried: Forest Lawn Cemetery, Dexter, Michigan)​

Mother: Alice Davis – 1877

(Buried: Forest Lawn Cemetery, Dexter, Michigan)​

Wife: Mary Jane Wilson 1818 – 1888

(Buried: Oak Hill Cemetery, Pontiac, Michigan)​

Children:

Frederick Augustus Copeland 1836 –​

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Florence Hortense Copeland Wilson 1839 – 1927​

(Buried: Oak Hill Cemetery Pontiac Michigan)​

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Agnes "Aggie" Theresa Copeland 1842 –​

Education:

Graduated from Harvard College​

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Studied law under Daniel Webster in Boston, Massachusetts​

Occupation before War:

1834 – 1838: Ensign in the Maine State Militia​

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1838: Captain in Maine State Militia​

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1838 – 1839: Major in Maine State Militia​

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Colonel of Maine State Militia​

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Played a role in the Aroostook War​

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Attorney in St. Clair, Michigan​

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Judge for St. Clair County, Michigan​

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Deputy Collector and Inspector of Revenue for St. Clair County, Michigan​

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Master of Chancery in St. Clair County, Michigan​

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1850 – 1851: Michigan State Senator​

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President of the Village of St. Clair, Michigan​

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Treasurer of the Village of St. Clair, Michigan​

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Justice of Michigan State Supreme Court​

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Built his castle in West Bloomfield Township, Michigan​

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Part Owner of company to finance a Mining Expedition to Colorado​

Civil War Career:

1861 – 1862: Lt. Colonel of 1st​ Michigan Cavalry Regiment​

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1862: Colonel of 5th​ Michigan Cavalry Regiment​

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One of the first officers to appreciate the Spencer repeating rifle​

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1862: Distinguished himself at the First Battle of Kernstown​

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1862 – 1865: Brigadier General of Union Army Volunteers​

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1863: Cavalry Commander in Pennsylvania trying to locate Gen. Lee​

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1863: Removed from Commander of Michigan Cavalry Brigade​

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1863: He was replaced with Custer and Copeland Protested​

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1863 – 1865: Commander of Draft Depots in Maryland and Pennsylvania​

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1865: Resigned his commission on November 8th​​

Occupation after War:

Owner of Orchard Lake Hotel​

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1877: Sold his Orchard Lake Hotel to Colonel Joseph S. Rodgers​

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Justice of the Peace in Orange Park, Florida​

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United States Postmaster in Orange Park, Florida​

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Judge of Clay County, Florida​

Died: May 6, 1893

Place of Death: Orange Park, Florida

Age at time of Death: 80 years old

Burial Place: Oak Hill Cemetery, Pontiac, Michigan

 

[rpkennedy]

Joseph Tarr Copeland:​

Born: May 6, 1813
Birthplace: New Castle MaineView attachment 357565
Father: Royal Copeland 1791 – 1861
(Buried: Forest Lawn Cemetery Dexter Michigan)
Mother: Alice Davis – 1877
(Buried: Forest Lawn Cemetery Dexter Michigan)
Wife: Mary Jane Wilson 1818 – 1888
(Buried: Oak Hill Cemetery Pontiac Michigan)
Children:
Frederick Augustus Copeland 1836 –
Florence Hortense Copeland Wilson 1839 – 1927
(Buried: Oak Hill Cemetery Pontiac Michigan)
Agnes "Aggie" Theresa Copeland 1842 –

Education:
Graduated from Harvard College
Studied law under Daniel Webster in Boston Massachusetts

Occupation before War:
1834 – 1838: Ensign in the Maine State Militia
1838: Captain in Maine State Militia
1838 – 1839: Major in Maine State Militia
Colonel of Maine State Militia
Played a role in the Aroostook War
Attorney in St. Clair Michigan
Judge for St. Clair County Michigan
Deputy Collector and Inspector of Revenue for St. Clair Co. Michigan
Master of Chancery in St. Clair County Michigan
1850 – 1851: Michigan State Senator
President of the Village of St. Clair Michigan
Treasurer of the Village of St. Clair Michigan
Justice of Michigan State Supreme Court
Built his castle in West Bloomfield Township Michigan
Part Owner of company to finance a Mining Expedition to Colorado

Civil War Career:
1861 – 1862: Lt. Colonel of 1st​ Michigan Cavalry Regiment
1862: Colonel of 5th​ Michigan Cavalry Regiment
One of the first officers to appreciate the Spencer repeating rifle
1862: Distinguished himself at the First Battle of Kernstown
1862 – 1865: Brigadier General of Union Army Volunteers
1863: Cavalry Commander in Pennsylvania trying to Locate Gen. Lee
1863: Removed from Commander of Michigan Cavalry Brigade
1863: He was replaced with Custer and Copeland Protested
1863 – 1865: Commander of Draft Depots in Maryland and PA.
1865: Resigned his commission on November 8th​

Occupation after War:
Owner of Orchard Lake Hotel
1877: Sold his Orchard Lake Hotel to Colonel Joseph S. Rodgers
Justice of the Peace in Orange Park Florida
United States Postmaster in Orange Park Florida
Judge of Clay County Florida


Died: May 6, 1893
Place of Death: Orange Park Florida
Age at time of Death: 80 years old
Burial Place: Oak Hill Cemetery Pontiac Michigan

He was a very good cavalry officer who was put on the shelf so that Custer could take over his brigade. It was a real shame.

Ryan

 

[Andy Cardinal]

I believe elements of his brigade were the first units of the Army of the Potomac were the first to arrive at Gettysburg on the evening of June 27/morning of June 28 and provided some important intelligence before Custer replaced him.

 

[Pollaco]

I believe he commanded the prisoner of war camp at Alton, Illinois to finish off the war as draft centers were no longer needed.

 

[gentlemanrob]

Happy Birthday (Friday) Brig. General Joseph T. Copeland! Salutes remembering General Copeland on his birthday week.

 

[ErnieMac]

From the 11 May 1893 edition of the Marshall (MI) Daily Chronicle.

 

[Luke Freet]

Why exactly was he replaced? Was it simply just to shuffle him out for one of Pleasanton's lackey's?

 

[major bill]

I am interested in the Michigan Military Academy so I have visited Copeland's Castle which served as the residence of the commandant. A very impressive building.

 

[ErnieMac]

Why exactly was he replaced? Was it simply just to shuffle him out for one of Pleasanton's lackey's?

Wiki states that Copeland was told it was because of his age. The fact that Pleasonton had Kilpatrick, Merritt and Farnsworth promoted at the same time Custer took over from Copeland indicates to me it was part of Pleasonton's effort to remold the AoP cavalry.

 

[Pollaco]

Why exactly was he replaced? Was it simply just to shuffle him out for one of Pleasanton's lackey's?

There was a reorganization of the cavalry in June of 1863 and Copeland's age very well may have been a factor in his elimination and it could have all been "legit"but there certainly was the appearance of some favoritism going on by somebody.