COPELAND, Joseph T., soldier, born in Michigan about 1830. He entered the 1st Michigan cavalry, which was organized during the summer of 1861, and was commissioned lieutenant colonel on 22 August He fought through the Manassas campaign, returned to Detroit in July, 1862, and organized the 5th cavalry, of which he became colonel, 14 August, and on 29 November, 1862, was appointed a brigadier-general of volunteers and assigned to the command of the Michigan cavalry brigade, formed at Washington, 12 December The brigade, forming part of Hooker's cavalry, was in Maryland after Lee had crossed the Potomac. They were the first Union troops to occupy Gettysburg; but with the other changes of commanders then carried out, General Copeland transferred his command to General Custer just before the battle, 1 July, 1863. He subsequently commanded a draft rendezvous at Annapolis Junction, Maryland, and at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and then the post and military prison at Alton, Illinois, until the close of the war.