the Fourth. In 1828, he became aide-de-camp to General Macomb, and continued to serve in that capacity until 1830. In 1831, he was appointed captain, by brevet, "for faithful service ten years in one grade." In 1836, he became a full captain. In 1847, he was made brevet major of the staff (assistant adjutant-general), and, in 1848, brevet colonel of the staff, "for meritorious conduct," particularly in the performance of his duties in the prosecution of the Mexican war. In 1852, General Cooper, whose peculiar talent had become widely known to the army and the public, was appointed adjutant-general of the United States. Into that office, he was brought directly and continually into contact with the present President of the Confederate States, when Secretary of War to the United States. Doubtless President Davis soon discovered his extraordinary qualifications for that office, if he was ignorant of them before. The consequences were most beneficial to the country. General Cooper, whose political principles had long been well known, resigned his office three days after the inauguration of Lincoln (7th March, 1861). He immediately offered his services to President Davis, and, on the 16th of March, was appointed Adjutant-General of the Confederate States. He found a Herculean task before him. An army was to be created, furnished with every thing, and taught to fight. How ably he has accomplished his task let the noble army now in the field and the proud military attitude of the country testify.
General Cooper is the compiler of a work on tactics, designed for the use of the militia of the United States. It is highly spoken of by those who are acquainted with the subject of which it treats. He is the highest in rank of all our generals.
