Wickliffe Cooper

Robert Wickliffe Cooper (October 19, 1831 – June 8, 1867) was a United States Army officer and cavalry commander of the American Civil War. He rarely used his real first name and thus appears in most documents as Wickliffe Cooper.

Early life Robert Wickliffe Cooper was born in Lexington, Kentucky, on October 19, 1831.

Military career Cooper enlisted in the army as a private at Louisville, Kentucky, in 1861 at the outbreak of the Civil War. He was made a Sergeant on November 15, 1861, and was commissioned as second lieutenant in the 20th Kentucky Infantry on January 24, 1862. In a report that Sedgewick made earlier the same month, he said of Cooper: "Asst. Adjt. Gen. Wickliffe Cooper, as on all occasions before, exhibited the greatest bravery. The coolness and precision with which he made the several reconnaissances ordered by me amid the greatest danger merit the highest praise." In July 1862 he was made the ADC to Maj. General William Nelson. #tag:ref|Hunt states that he was made Lt. Colonel on April 13, 1863 and Colonel on May 29, 1863. and repulsed his troops. but by the time he received this position he was deeply affected by alcoholism. During an expedition against the Cheyenne and the Sioux, Cooper ran out of whiskey. This apparently caused him to experience serious withdrawal symptoms.