General Orders, No. 1 (U.S. War Department), 1865

On January 7, 1865, the U.S. War Department issued General Orders, No. 1, announcing that President Abraham Lincoln had relieved Benjamin Butler of command of the Department of North Carolina.

General Orders, No. 1

War Department, Adjutant General’s Office
Washington, January 7, 1865

By direction of the President of the United States, Maj. Gen. B.F. Butler is relieved of command of the Department of North Carolina and Virginia. Lieutenant-General Grant will designate an officer to take his command temporarily. Major-General Butler, on being relieved, will repair to Lowell, Mass., and report by letter to the Adjutant-General of the Army.

BY ORDER OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR:

W.A. Nichols,
Assistant Adjutant General.

Written by Harry Searles