First Lieutenant Elbridge Jackson Copp of Co. F, 3rd New Hampshire Infantry Regiment
Library of Congress
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Colonel Elbridge J. Copp, youngest son of Joseph M. and Hannah H. (Brown) Copp, was born in Warren, July 22, 1844. His education was obtained in the common and high schools of Nashua. In 1861, when a little above sixteen years of age, he enlisted as a private in Company F. Third Regiment, New Hampshire Volunteers. The following year he was appointed sergeant major of the regiment, and a short time after was promoted to second lieutenant. In 1863 meritorious conduct brought him a commission as adjutant of the regiment. At that time he was eighteen years of age, and the youngest commissioned officer in the service who had risen from the ranks. For a time he served as assistant adjutant-general on the staff of Colonel and Acting Brigadier General Louis Bell, who was killed at Fort Fisher, and held his commission until he was mustered out, on account of disability from wounds, in October, 1864. During his term of enlistment he participated in many important engagements.

While in the service he acted upon the theory that to fight is the province of a soldier, and was present at every battle in which his regiment took a part, unless so seriously disabled as to be prevented from doing so. He was wounded in the shoulder at Drury's Bluffs, in front of Richmond, and for a time was compelled to remain away from the firing line, but before his wound was fairly healed he was again in the saddle and was in his place when the advance upon Richmond was made. In that frightful and fruitless charge, General Hawley's brigade entered the fortifications of the enemy, and there the young adjutant was shot through the body and was rescued during the battle by General Hawley, who upon finding him sent an aid to bring him across the line. One hundred or more of the Third were wounded in this battle, and nearly all were captured. Adjutant Copp thus escaped what would have been almost sure death in a rebel prison, had he lived to reach one. He was taken to Chesapeake Hospital, Fortress Monroe, where he was skillfully treated, and in October of 1864 was able to be removed to his home. He has never recovered from his injuries, and often suffers from them for long periods.

After regaining his strength to some extent, Colonel Copp traveled for some time for a Chicago and Indianapolis book-publishing house. Later he settled in business in Nashua, with his brother, Charles D. Copp, late captain in the Ninth New Hampshire Volunteers. Colonel Copp was appointed register of probate for Hillsborough county in 1878, and from that time till the present (1907) has had no opposition for re-nomination and has been biennially re-elected to that position for a period of twenty-eight years.

His interest in military affairs has never abated, and to his efforts and influence many noteworthy steps in the military matters of New Hampshire should be credited. In 1878, after the military spirit which had waned for some years following the war was revived. Mr. Copp was commissioned captain of the Nashua Guards, which through his tireless efforts in drilling and disciplining attained a standing above that of any other militia organization in the state.

In 1879 he was commissioned major of the Second Regiment, New Hampshire National Guard, and soon after was promoted to lieutenant-colonel.

In 1884 Colonel D. M. White was made brigade commander, and Lieutenant-Colonel Copp was advanced to the colonelcy of the regiment. In 1885, upon the expiration of his commission, Colonel Copp was urged to accept a new commission, but this he declined to do, as he did not regard such action as just too deserving officers who had earned promotion. The colonel's regard for the welfare of the military of the state did not expire with his commission, but directing all his energies to local improvement and advancement, he organized a stock company with a capital of $30,000 for the construction of an armory in Nashua. In this he was completely successful. The money was raised, the plans drawn, and the building erected under the colonel's supervision; it is one of the sights of the city and a source of much local pride. Colonel Copp is a member of John G. Foster Post, No. 7, Grand Army of the Republic; of the Massachusetts Commandery of the Loyal Legion; of Pennichuck Lodge, No. 44, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; and of Ancient York Lodge. Ancient Free and Accepted Masons.

In political faith he adheres to the principles advocated by Abraham Lincoln, and was chairman of Nashua Republican City Committee for eight years. Colonel Copp is one of the best known and most respected citizens of Nashua. He is a true-hearted friend, a generous comrade, and a good neighbor. His long and honorable record as a gentleman and as an official is a monument to his memory.

He married, June 9, 1868, S. Eliza White, born December. 184.3, daughter of James and Rebecca
(McConnihe) White, of Nashua. She died December, 1893, leaving two daughters: Charlotte Louise, wife of Frederick B. Pearson, of Maiden. Massachusetts; and Edith Alice, married Dr. Harrison P. Baldwin, of Manchester. One child, Robert Copp, has been born to Mrs. Pearson.

Source: Genealogical and family history of the state of New Hampshire : a record of the achievements of her people in the making of a commonwealth and the founding of a nation by Stearns, Ezra S; Whitcher, William F. (William Frederick), 1845-1918; Parker, Edward E. (Edward Everett), 1842-1923. Volume 3. Published 1908.

Colonel Elbridge J. Copp, youngest son of Joseph M. and Hannah H. (Brown) Copp, was born in Warren, July 22, 1844. His education was obtained in the common and high schools of Nashua. In 1861, when a little above sixteen years of age, he enlisted as a private in Company F. Third Regiment, New Hampshire Volunteers. The following year he was appointed sergeant major of the regiment, and a short time after was promoted to second lieutenant. In 1863 meritorious conduct brought him a commission as adjutant of the regiment. At that time he was eighteen years of age, and the youngest commissioned officer in the service who had risen from the ranks. For a time he served as assistant adjutant-general on the staff of Colonel and Acting Brigadier General Louis Bell, who was killed at Fort Fisher, and held his commission until he was mustered out, on account of disability from wounds, in October, 1864. During his term of enlistment he participated in many important engagements.

While in the service he acted upon the theory that to fight is the province of a soldier, and was present at every battle in which his regiment took a part, unless so seriously disabled as to be prevented from doing so. He was wounded in the shoulder at Drury's Bluffs, in front of Richmond, and for a time was compelled to remain away from the firing line, but before his wound was fairly healed he was again in the saddle and was in his place when the advance upon Richmond was made. In that frightful and fruitless charge, General Hawley's brigade entered the fortifications of the enemy, and there the young adjutant was shot through the body and was rescued during the battle by General Hawley, who upon finding him sent an aid to bring him across the line. One hundred or more of the Third were wounded in this battle, and nearly all were captured. Adjutant Copp thus escaped what would have been almost sure death in a rebel prison, had he lived to reach one. He was taken to Chesapeake Hospital, Fortress Monroe, where he was skillfully treated, and in October of 1864 was able to be removed to his home. He has never recovered from his injuries, and often suffers from them for long periods.

After regaining his strength to some extent, Colonel Copp traveled for some time for a Chicago and Indianapolis book-publishing house. Later he settled in business in Nashua, with his brother, Charles D. Copp, late captain in the Ninth New Hampshire Volunteers. Colonel Copp was appointed register of probate for Hillsborough county in 1878, and from that time till the present (1907) has had no opposition for re-nomination and has been biennially re-elected to that position for a period of twenty-eight years.

His interest in military affairs has never abated, and to his efforts and influence many noteworthy steps in the military matters of New Hampshire should be credited. In 1878, after the military spirit which had waned for some years following the war was revived. Mr. Copp was commissioned captain of the Nashua Guards, which through his tireless efforts in drilling and disciplining attained a standing above that of any other militia organization in the state.

In 1879 he was commissioned major of the Second Regiment, New Hampshire National Guard, and soon after was promoted to lieutenant-colonel.

In 1884 Colonel D. M. White was made brigade commander, and Lieutenant-Colonel Copp was advanced to the colonelcy of the regiment. In 1885, upon the expiration of his commission, Colonel Copp was urged to accept a new commission, but this he declined to do, as he did not regard such action as just too deserving officers who had earned promotion. The colonel's regard for the welfare of the military of the state did not expire with his commission, but directing all his energies to local improvement and advancement, he organized a stock company with a capital of $30,000 for the construction of an armory in Nashua. In this he was completely successful. The money was raised, the plans drawn, and the building erected under the colonel's supervision; it is one of the sights of the city and a source of much local pride. Colonel Copp is a member of John G. Foster Post, No. 7, Grand Army of the Republic; of the Massachusetts Commandery of the Loyal Legion; of Pennichuck Lodge, No. 44, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; and of Ancient York Lodge. Ancient Free and Accepted Masons.

In political faith he adheres to the principles advocated by Abraham Lincoln, and was chairman of Nashua Republican City Committee for eight years. Colonel Copp is one of the best known and most respected citizens of Nashua. He is a true-hearted friend, a generous comrade, and a good neighbor. His long and honorable record as a gentleman and as an official is a monument to his memory.

He married, June 9, 1868, S. Eliza White, born December. 184.3, daughter of James and Rebecca
(McConnihe) White, of Nashua. She died December, 1893, leaving two daughters: Charlotte Louise, wife of Frederick B. Pearson, of Maiden. Massachusetts; and Edith Alice, married Dr. Harrison P. Baldwin, of Manchester. One child, Robert Copp, has been born to Mrs. Pearson.

Source: Genealogical and family history of the state of New Hampshire : a record of the achievements of her people in the making of a commonwealth and the founding of a nation by Stearns, Ezra S; Whitcher, William F. (William Frederick), 1845-1918; Parker, Edward E. (Edward Everett), 1842-1923. Volume 3. Published 1908.