William Cooper Talley

William Cooper Talley (December 11, 1831 – October 20, 1903) was an American politician from Pennsylvania who served as a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for Delaware County from 1874 to 1877. He served as a colonel in the Union Army during the U.S. Civil War, fought in many of the key battles of the war and was promoted to brigadier general by brevet in 1865.

William Cooper Talley
Pennsylvania House of Representatives, Delaware County
In office 1874–1877
Preceded by	Orson Flagg Bullard[1]
Succeeded by	Orson Flagg Bullard
Personal details
Born	December 11, 1831 Brandywine Hundred, Delaware
Died	October 20, 1903 Washington, D.C.
Political party	Democratic
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	Union Army
Years of service	1861–1864
Rank	Colonel Brevet Brigadier-general
Commands	1st Pennsylvania Reserve Regiment
Battles/wars	American Civil War Battle of Antietam Battle of Spotsylvania Battle of Fredericksburg Battle of Gettysburg Battle of the Wilderness

Early life and education

Talley was born in Brandywine Hundred, Delaware to Reverend Lewis S. and Priscilla (Clark) Talley.[2] He attended the Forwood School and graduated from Professor Sudley's Academy in Wilmington, Delaware in 1853.[3]

U.S. Civil War

When the civil war broke out, Talley sold his newspaper and organized a company mainly from Delaware County, Pennsylvania known as the Rockdale Rifle Guards.[4] The company became Company F of the 1st Pennsylvania Reserve Regiment and was mustered in to the Union Army in 1861 with Talley as captain.[2]

At the Battle of Antietam, Talley was given command of his regiment by General Warren, the Corps Commander.[2]

At the Battle of Spotsylvania, he commanded the 1st Brigade of the 5th Corps and was taken prisoner of war.[5] After being captured, he was brought to General Richard S. Ewell's headquarters where Ewell offered to parole him but Talley declined.[6] Talley and 700 captured Union soldier were freed the next day by the cavalry troops commanded by General Philip Sheridan.[7]

Talley received his Colonel's commission on November 2, 1862.

He was mustered out on June 13, 1864.[8]

By recommendation of General Samuel W. Crawford, Talley was promoted to Brigadier General by brevet in 1865 for gallant and meritorious action at Antietam, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, the Wilderness, Spotsylvania and other engagements.[2]

Career

Talley was the co-publisher of the Upland Union newspaper in Media, Pennsylvania and publisher of the Delaware County Democrat newspaper in Chester, Pennsylvania. In 1876, Talley sold his interest in the Delaware County Democrat[9] and became the owner of the National Democrat newspaper in Norristown, Pennsylvania.

He worked as the deputy collector and then collector for the Internal Revenue Service for the Seventh District of Pennsylvania.

Talley was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for Delaware County for the 1874, 1875 and 1876 terms. He served as chairman of the Ways and Means Committee and as a member of the Centennial Committee.[2] He was not a candidate for reelection in 1877.

From 1877 to 1903, he worked as a proofer for the Congressional Record in the United States Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.[3]

Personal life

Talley was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, Post Wilde No. 25 in Chester, Pennsylvania.[10] Talley is interred at the Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.[11]

References

1. Wiley, Samuel T. (1894). Biographical and Historical Cyclopedia of Delaware County Pennsylvania. New York: Gresham Publishing Company. pp. 92-93. Retrieved 30 August 2018.
2. Talley, George A. (1899). A history of the Talley family on the Delaware and their descendants. Philadelphia: Moyer & Lesher, Printers. pp. 168–171. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
3. "William Cooper Talley". www.legis.state.pa.us. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
4. Wiley, Samuel T. (1894). Biographical and Historical Cyclopedia of Delaware County, Pennsylvania. New York: Gresham Publishing Company. p. 70. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
5. Minnigh, Henry N. (1891). History of Company K., 1st (Inft) Penn'a Reserves: "The Boys Who Fought at Home. Duncansville, Pennsylvania: Home Print Publisher. p. 34. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
6. Ent, Uzal W. (2014). The Pennsylvania Reserves in the Civil War: A Comprehensive History. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company, Inc. p. 260. ISBN 978-0-7864-4872-2. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
7. Ashmead, Henry Graham (1884). History of Delaware County, Pennsylvania. Philadelphia: L.H. Everts & Co. pp. 122-123. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
8. Sypher, Josiah Rhinehart (1865). History of Company K., 1st (Inft) Penn'a Reserves: "The Boys Who Fought at Home. Lancaster, Pennsylvania: Elias Barr & Co. p. 562. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
9. Martin, John Hill (1877). Chester (and Its Vicinity,) Delaware County, in Pennsylvania. Philadelphia: Wm. H. Pile & Sons. p. 226. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
10. Martin, John Hill (1877). Chester (and Its Vicinity,) Delaware County, in Pennsylvania. Philadelphia: Wm. H. Pile & Sons. pp. 389–390. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
11. "William Cooper Talley". www.findagrave.com. Retrieved 1 September 2018.