General Orders, No. 66 (Army of the Potomac)

June 28, 1863

On June 28, 1863, Major General Joseph Hooker issued General Orders, No. 66 (AOP) announcing he was relinquishing command of the Army of the Potomac.

Portrait of Joseph Hooker

On June 28, 1863, Major General Joseph Hooker issued General Orders, No. 66 (AOP) announcing he was relinquishing command of the Army of the Potomac. [Wikimedia Commons]

GENERAL ORDERS, No. 66.

HEADQUARTERS, ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
June 28, 1863.

In conformity with the orders of the War Department, dated June 27, 1863, I relinquish the command of the Army of the Potomac. It is transferred to Maj. Gen. George Meade, a brave and accomplished officer, who has nobly earned the confidence and esteem of this army on many a well-fought field.

Impressed with the belief that my usefulness as the commander of the Army of the Potomac is impaired, I part from it; yet not without the deepest emotion.

The sorrow of parting with the comrades of so many battles is relieved by the conviction that the courage and devotion of this army will never cease nor fail; that it will yield to my successor, as it has to me, a willing and hearty support.

With the earnest prayer that the triumphs of its arms may bring successes worthy of it and the nation, I bid farewell.

JOSEPH HOOKER
Major-General

Citation Information

The following information is provided for citations.

  • Article Title General Orders, No. 66 (Army of the Potomac)
  • Date June 28, 1863
  • Author
  • Keywords army of the potomac
  • Website Name American History Central
  • Access Date October 1, 2023
  • Publisher R.Squared Communications, LLC
  • Original Published Date
  • Date of Last Update May 6, 2022

General Orders, No. 66 (Army of the Potomac) is Part of the Following on AHC