The Confederacy's Highest-Ranking General

Who was the highest-ranking general in the Confederate army? It was not Bobby Lee or Joe Johnston, but Samuel Cooper. A career U.S. Army officer, Cooper (1798-1876) served as head of the Adjutant General’s Office in the U.S. War Department, a position to which he had been appointed to in 1852 by President Millard Fillmore. Learn more.
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"Life on the Civil War Research Trail" is hosted by Ronald S. Coddington, Editor and Publisher of Military Images magazine. Learn more about our mission to showcase, interpret and preserve Civil War portrait photography at militaryimagesmagazine.com.
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Image: National Portrait Gallery

[@Razorbacks1]

If you ever do a ‘what if’ video be sure to address ‘what if’ Patrick Cleburne had commanded the Army of the Tennessee instead of Braxton Bragg. I agree with Shelby Foote who argued Cleburne was probably the most underrated field general in the CSA Army.

[@clayedwards987]

Samuel Cooper WAS highest ranking officer in Provisional Army of Confederate States of America. He was earliest date of rank forever. However, he was later subordinate to RE Lee when in February 1865 President Davis promoted Lee to General-in-Chief of the Confederate States Army. At the last minute, Lee is promoted to a new top spot. But, General Cooper was still the "desk mate" and faithful friend to the President, his top resident military advisor, much in the vein of Fleet Admiral William Leahy to FDR. Good report here. Lots of folks learned something new from you today. I used this tidbit of trivia many times back in 1971-72 as a Plebe at West Point to get a "fall out", a chance to eat normally, for my classmates at meals in the Cadet Mess Hall. No upper classman knew the answer, and even if they had heard some Plebe was using this, they could never remember the name. Thank you, General Samuel Cooper!

[@Razorbacks1]

There is no doubt that Albert S. Johnston was the highest ranked field general of the Confederate Army until his death at Shiloh. I had never heard about General Sam Cooper until this video, thank you.

[@31terikennedy]

Actually it should have been Joseph E. Johnston who was a Brigadier General in the Regular Army before the war.

[@31terikennedy]

The Three men who contribute most to Union victory was Lincoln, Jeff Davis and Robert E. Lee.

[@davidfrench2653]

Very interesting but would have liked to see a photo of General Cooper in his Confederate uniform, if one exists.

[@thomaskreidler3376]

After the War, Jefferson Davis was asked who was the officer who most helped the war effort and he said General Cooper.

[@-AyeYallThereGoLaFlare-]

I came here to say if you’re ever in the Baton Rouge -Natchez area come to Jefferson Davis childhood home, Rosemont plantation in woodville, Ms right across the state line. Owned by my uncle Percival Beacroft. We have, probably , the most comprehensive 3 part documentary on Jefferson Davis that he made.

[@danbendix1398]

When the initial group of Full Generals were named - i.e. Cooper, AS Johnston, Lee, JE Johnston, and Beauregard - their relative rank was based on their rank in the US Army. A point of contention was that Joe Johnston was ranked below JE Johnston and Lee. He had been a General in the Union Army while the other two were Colonels. However his was a Brevet General so Davis didn't count it. This became a serious point of contention between Davis and Johnston.

[@douglasturner6153]

Johnson complained to Davis of being subordinate to Lee since he was a Brigadier General in the old Army and Lee a Colonel. Davis told him that his rank was Quartermaster Gen. and Lee was a Line Officer. Hence Lee was senior. This didn't smooth his hostility to Davis. But Davis made a technical point. Incidentally Lee had been offered that post in the old Army before Johnson was and had decined it.

[@danbendix1398]

@@douglasturner6153 *Johnston

[@douglasturner6153]

@@danbendix1398 Right. I didn't think that looked right but didn't go back and check his correct spelling.

[@FuzzyWuzzy75]

Huzzah to Gen. Sam Cooper! Mr. Coddington, you never cease to impress. I saw the question posted about Cooper by one of your viewers and have been very much impressed with how you interacted with the gentleman. A Huzzah for Mr. Coddington as well!

[@lifeonthecivilwarresearchtrail]

Too kind, sir! Thanks, Brad.

[@williamrossetter9430]

WIsh I heard this story earlier Ron, but no doubt, my first understanding of Mr. Cooper and his close relationship to Jeff Davis. Would be more interested in understanding why this gentleman chose to side with the secessionists, but perhaps you might have another episode that I may have missed. As always, appreciate your stories and remain your humble listener!

[@larrydemaar409]

Wow, that was terrific! Thanks for taking up my questions about Cooper and Confederate rank and seniority. I met you at my Roundtable and bought your books at that time. Yes, you pronounced my name correctly. I look forward to each of your videos.

[@lifeonthecivilwarresearchtrail]

Thanks, Larry!

[@lynntalafuse9935]

rank was from date of rank in the Confederacy. When there was a list of promotions on the same day, you were lower than everyone who appears on the list before you.

[@stevenhistory]

I own the home that cooper was born in. the Joseph Horton house in dutchess county. I can get no interests from state or local historians. its history

[@emerald640]

Does this make him analogous to Georgr Marshall in WW2?

[@SparkyWaxAll]

Google colorized photo of Sam Cooper. It’s amazing

[@altonbunnjr]

Richard McMurray in The Civil Wars of General Joseph E Johnston has a good explanation of how the seniority of the five full Confederate generals was established.

[@johnkeester3739]

Studied the civil war for years snd never heard of this guy

[@Heystraw]

yeah... me too!

[@provost5752]

This is a great channel. All my dogs past and present are named after famous Confederate commanders including Samuel Cooper which my gf named after searching the internet for the highest ranking Confederate officer. Cooper seems to like his name pretty well since he answers to it when I call him.

[@tttyuhbbb9823]

Which Cooper? 😅

[@zenboy01]

Are we to assume that his friendship with Davis was the only reason a New Yorker would join the Confederacy?

[@rijrunner]

No. Samuel Cooper was married to Sarah Mason. Sarah's brother was James Mason (of Mason-Slidell fame). Sarah's sister, Anne, was married to Sidney Smith Lee - Robert E Lee's older brother. Cooper married South and spent his entire career in the Southern states.

[@zenboy01]

@@rijrunner Thanks for the info.

[@crippledcrow2384]

No, they joined the Confederacy because the Union's invasion of the South was unconstitutional. They were standing up for what was right.

[@howardstotler616]

Kinda like Jedediah Hotchkiss.

[@SparkyWaxAll]

….US Army was officially grateful to Cooper for persevering the large volume of Confederate Army reports and records

[@stevewesley8187]

To my understanding , it was based on seniority - earliest to join ........

[@robertreisner6119]

As a student of our Civil War since the mid 1960's, I have long thought that General Samuel Cooper was one of the most significant Confederate Officers.

[@-AyeYallThereGoLaFlare-]

Not to make a hero out of Jefferson Davis but a man that “belonged” to him named Jim heard the Yankees were coming down here and had Mrs Davis give him a passport to Richmond I believe and talked Jefferson Davis into signing the property over to him and freeing him so they wouldn’t take the plantations. He literally saved the day and this is underrated. There is also a man who “belonged” to him who heard he was broke after the civil war and sent $1000 to Jeff Davis saying he always treated him well , which is a ridiculous amount of money in those times. There’s an interview of a former slave of Davis who tells the former story himself if u made it those long and still reading.

[@DoyleHargraves]

On this topic, in my research, i have found Joseph E. Johnston to be the most childish, tantrum-throwing officer of General rank in the CS. Davis was pretty inept in the people skills dept, but Johnston's constant agitation over rank and postings really hampered the entire war effort.

[@Abdus_VGC]

I thought it was David Emanuel Twiggs

[@jerroldbates355]

Smart experienced man.

[@markminter3960]

Thanks Ron .

[@howardstotler616]

Very intestering. Sounds like a legitimate good guy.

[@jesserebel8387]

i have a 100 dollar alabama csa confederate dollar. whats it worth? pristine condition