History of Detroit, a chronicle of its progress, its industries, its institutions, and the people of the fair City of the straits, / by Paul Leake ... [Vol. 3]

HISTORY OF DETROIT9

935

in the right side. This was his first wound and he was sent to Washington to recuperate. Rejoining his regiment at Harrison's Landing on
August 10th, he commanded his company, supporting General Averell
in a reconnaissance to the south side of James River, and had a fight
with the Confederate Cavalry. On August 29th he was on the skirmish
line in the second battle of Bull Run, and also on the 30th, while charging the enemy. was shot through the right thigh and taken prisoner.
Being paroled on the field and sent to Washington, he was later exchanged and was able to rejoin his regiment on December 20, t1862. He was
in the "Mud March" on January 20th of the following year, and on
March 18th was promoted to the rank of major. At Chancellorsville
Major Hopper was three days under fire. Ile supported the cavalry at
Kelly's Ford and in its fight at Brandy Station on June 9th. On June
21st he joined General Vincent's brigade at Aldie Gap and fought the
enemy across the valley to Ashby Gap, and in his own, the First, brigade
was at Gettysburg on July 2nd and 3d. On August 20th he was detailed
as president of the board of examination for the promotion of noncommissioned officers of the First Division, Fifth Corps. On November
7th he took command of his regiment and led it during the Mine Run
campaign. IIe was in command of the skirmish line in its first advance,
May 5, 1864, on the road to Robinson's Tavern. On that day he was
hit by a spent ball and on the next day was struck by a piece of shell, but
continued in action. On the 8th he was engaged at Laurel Hill, and
on the night of the 10th was in a fight on the picket line. On the 24th he
participated at Jericho Ford, North Anna River, and on the 30th of
May was at Tolopotamy. Then succeeded Magnolia Swamp on June
1st, Bethesda Church, June 2nd and June 17th and 18th at Petersburg.
His last important engagement was the fighting on Weldon Railroad,
August 18th, 19th and 21st. On the 26th of September, 1864, with three
full years of arduous service to his credit, he resigned his commission and
left the army. As a soldier his lot was cast in the central scenes of the
war and in some of the greatest campaigns of history. He was one of
the rugged mnen who never surrendered to any of the physical infirmities
or the difficulties and dangers of outside circumnstances, but with unflinching fortitude pursued the path of duty wherever it led.
Returning to civil life, the former major of volunteers resumed his
place as conductor on the Michigan Central. Two years later he was
appointed agent at Jackson, Michigan, where he remained five years.
He was then promoted to assistant superintendent of the road, but
resigned this to take a place of equal responsibility, as paymaster of the
great trunk lines of the country. During his thirty-six years of active
service in this position he disbursed among the employes of the Michigan
Central system the enormous total of $214,411,949.84.
Major Hopper has been for fifty years a member of the Zion Lodge
of Masons in Detroit, and occupies the honored place of life member of
the lodge. He is a-member of the Michigan Commandery of the Loyal
Legion of the United States, in which he has officiated as commander and
junior vice commander. In the Detroit Post of the Grand Army he is a
member of the council and a past senior vice commander. He is one of
the active supporters of the Unitarian society at Edmond Place and
Woodward avenue.
Major Hopper's beautiful home is at 657 Cass aveuue, one of the
aristocratic thoroughfares, of the city. On April 11, 1866, he was married at Newark, New Jersey, to Miss Martha Van Ness. Three children
have been born. Miss Kate A. lives at home. James S. is a clerk in
the pay car of the Michigan Central. William C., now deceased, married
Miss Frances O'Connell. His widow and one daughter. Frances