About Samuel Cooper (general)
Samuel Cooper (June 12, 1798 – December 3, 1876) was an American military officer, who served in the Second Seminole War and the Mexican–American War in the United States Army. Although little-known today, Cooper was technically the highest-ranking general officer in the Confederate States Army throughout the American Civil War, even outranking Robert E. Lee. After the conflict, Cooper remained in Virginia as a farmer. == Early life and career == Samuel Cooper was born in New Hackensack, Dutchess County, New York. He was one of the sons of Samuel Cooper and his wife Mary Horton. In 1813, he entered the United States Military Academy at age 15. He graduated 36th in a class of 40 two years later (the standard length of study in that period.) He was appointed a brevet second lieutenant in the U.S. Light Artillery on December 11, 1815. He was promoted to first lieutenant in 1821 and to captain in 1836. In 1827, Cooper married Sarah Maria Mason, granddaughter of Declaration of Independence signer George Mason and sister of future Confederate diplomat James M. Mason. Sarah's sister, Ann Maria Mason, was the mother of Confederate cavalry general Fitzhugh Lee, a nephew of Robert E. Lee, while her brother John Mason, was a son-in-law of Gen.
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