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.

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

American 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. 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. After being captured, he was brought to General Richard S. Ewell's headquarters where Ewell offered to parole him but Talley declined. Talley and 700 captured Union soldier were freed the next day by the cavalry troops commanded by General Philip Sheridan.

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

He was mustered out on June 13, 1864.

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. 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. Talley is interred at the Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.