General Orders, No. 217 (U.S. War Department)

July 15, 1863

On July 15, 1863, the U.S. War Department issued General Orders, No. 217, announcing that the Departments of Virginia and North Carolina had been merged under the command of Major General John G. Foster.

Portrait of John G. Foster

On July 15, 1863, the U.S. War Department issued General Orders, No. 217, announcing that the Departments of Virginia and North Carolina had been merged under the command of Major General John G. Foster. [Wikimedia Commons]

General Orders, No. 217.

War Dep’t, Adjutant General’s Office,
Washington, July 15, 1863

I.–By Direction of the President of the United States, the Departments of Virginia and North Carolina are united into one, and Major general J.G. Foster assigned to the command.

II.–Major General John A. Dix will immediately repair to New York city, and relieve Major General Wool from the command of the Department of the East.

By Order of the Secretary of War:

E.D. TOWNSEND, Assistant Adjutant General

Citation Information

The following information is provided for citations.

  • Article Title General Orders, No. 217 (U.S. War Department)
  • Date July 15, 1863
  • Author
  • Keywords Departments of Virginia and North Carolina, John G. Foster
  • Website Name American History Central
  • Access Date December 11, 2023
  • Publisher R.Squared Communications, LLC
  • Original Published Date
  • Date of Last Update May 5, 2022

General Orders, No. 217 (U.S. War Department) is Part of the Following on AHC