Civil War Key Confederate Adj. General Samuel Cooper Signed Envelope PSA Auto

Title:
Samuel Cooper – PSA/DNA Certified Signed Envelope – Adjutant General of the Confederacy – Auto Grade MINT 9

Description:
Original hand-addressed and signed envelope by Samuel Cooper, the highest-ranking general of the Confederate States Army, boldly signed as “S. Cooper” while serving as Adjutant General. The envelope, printed with the heading "Adjutant General’s Office – Official Business", is addressed to:

Hon. J. S. Morrill,
House of Representatives U.S.,
Washington, D.C.

Cooper’s signature appears at the top right above the printed title, indicating its official military correspondence origin. Additional historical annotations in period ink along the left margin provide references to Col. and Captain appointments, dated May 15 & 16, 1856. These notes likely reflect internal military orders or clerical processing of military records.

The envelope is professionally authenticated and encapsulated by PSA/DNA, with the autograph earning a Mint 9 grade for signature quality.

The PSA label reads:

• ENVELOPE

• SAMUEL COOPER

• PSA/DNA CERTIFIED

• AUTO GRADE: MINT 9

• Certification #: 84401001

The envelope is preserved in a secure, tamper-evident slab with visible folds and age-related wear, including adhesive remnants on the back from original postal sealing—consistent with mid-19th century correspondence.

Historical Context:
Samuel Cooper (1798–1876) served as Adjutant General of the U.S. Army before joining the Confederacy at the outbreak of the Civil War. He became Adjutant and Inspector General of the Confederate Army, placing him at the top of the Confederate military hierarchy—even ranking above Robert E. Lee by date of commission.

Despite his immense authority during the war, Cooper is lesser known to the public due to his administrative (rather than battlefield) role. Nonetheless, his duties were critical in maintaining army structure, issuing orders, and coordinating military communication across the Confederacy.

This envelope is addressed to Justin Smith Morrill, a prominent Vermont Congressman and later U.S. Senator, best known for authoring the Morrill Land-Grant Acts, which revolutionized American higher education. The interaction between Cooper and Morrill—on the eve of the Civil War—adds further historical value to this artifact.

Authentication & Encapsulation:
Authenticated and encapsulated by PSA/DNA, with the signature receiving a high Mint 9 grade for quality.

• Certification Number: 84401001

• Sealed in PSA’s archival-grade slab for lasting preservation and protection.

• Additional Documentation & Provenance: At buyer’s request, Historical Autographs Gallery will include an additional “Historical Autographs Gallery Certificate” signed by our company founder Luke Pascal at no cost.

Closing Appeal:
This PSA/DNA-certified and Mint-graded envelope signed by Samuel Cooper is an exceptional and rare artifact from the highest-ranking officer of the Confederate military command. With its direct link to both Cooper and Congressman J. S. Morrill, the piece is a compelling intersection of military, political, and Civil War history—perfectly suited for collectors of Confederate memorabilia or 19th-century American governance.

Shipping Notice:
For insurance purposes, items sold over $600 may require signature confirmation upon delivery. Higher-value items, likely over $1,500, are shipped via FedEx 2-Day with Direct Signature Confirmation. FedEx provides the most flexibility when requiring a signature, allowing you to make special delivery requests directly through their tracking system. This ensures both security and convenience for the buyer.