General Orders, No. 1 (Headquarters Confederate Army)

February 9, 1865

On February 9, 1865, Robert E. Lee issued General Orders, No. 1 (CSA) announcing that he had assumed command of the military forces of the Confederate States.

Portrait of Robert E. Lee

On February 9, 1865, Robert E. Lee issued General Orders, No. 1 (CSA) announcing that he had assumed command of the military forces of the Confederate States. [Wikimedia Commons]

GENERAL ORDERS, No. 1.

HEADQUARTERS CONFEDERATE ARMY,
February 9, 1865

In obedience to General Orders, No. 3, Adjutant and Inspector General’s Office, February 6, 1865, I assume command of the military forces of the Confederate States. Deeply impressed with the difficulties and responsibility of the position, and humbly invoking the guidance of Almighty God, I rely for success upon the courage and fortitude of the army, sustained by the patriotism and firmness of the people, confident that their united efforts, under the blessing of Heaven, will secure peace and independence. The headquarters of the army, to which all special reports and communications will be addressed, will be, for the present, with the Army of Northern Virginia. The stated and regular returns and reports of each army and department will be forwarded, as heretofore, to the office of the Adjutant and Inspector General.

R.E. LEE
General.

Citation Information

The following information is provided for citations.

  • Article Title General Orders, No. 1 (Headquarters Confederate Army)
  • Date February 9, 1865
  • Author
  • Keywords Robert E. Lee
  • Website Name American History Central
  • Access Date September 21, 2023
  • Publisher R.Squared Communications, LLC
  • Original Published Date
  • Date of Last Update May 5, 2022

General Orders, No. 1 (Headquarters Confederate Army) is Part of the Following on AHC