General Orders, No. 4, Army of Tennessee (CSA)

July 17, 1864

On July 17, 1864, Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston issued General Orders, No. 4 (AoT), relinquishing his command of the Army of Tennessee to General John Bell Hood.

Portrait of Joseph Johnston.

On July 17, 1864, Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston (pictured here) issued General Orders, No. 4 (AoT), relinquishing his command of the Army of Tennessee to General John Bell Hood. [Wikimedia Commons]

GENERAL ORDERS, No. 4.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF TENNESSEE,
July 17, 1864.

In obedience to orders of the War Department, I turn over to General Hood the command of the Army and Department of Tennessee. I cannot leave this noble army without expressing my admiration of the high military qualities it has displayed. A long and arduous campaign has made conspicuous every soldierly virtue, endurance of toil, obedience to orders and brilliant courage. The enemy has never attacked but to be repulsed and severely punished. You, soldiers, have never argued but from your courage and never counted your foes. No longer your leader, I will still watch your career and will rejoice in your victories. To one and all I offer assurances of my friendship, and bid an affectionate farewell.

J.E. JOHNSTON,
General

Citation Information

The following information is provided for citations.

  • Article Title General Orders, No. 4, Army of Tennessee (CSA)
  • Date July 17, 1864
  • Author
  • Keywords Joseph E. Johnston, Army of Tennessee, John Bell Hood
  • Website Name American History Central
  • Access Date September 27, 2023
  • Publisher R.Squared Communications, LLC
  • Original Published Date
  • Date of Last Update May 5, 2022

General Orders, No. 4, Army of Tennessee (CSA) is Part of the Following on AHC