Robert Edward Lee was a Confederate general whose early actions in the American Civil War led to his appointment as the overall commander of the Confederate States Army near the end of the war. He led the Army of Northern Virginia, the Confederacy's most powerful army, from 1862 until its surrender in 1865, earning a reputation as one of the war's most skilled tacticians.
HEADQUARTERS OF THE FORCES, Richmond, Va., July 10, 1861. In charge Naval Defenses, James River: CAPTAIN: A copy of the order assigning you to the charge of naval defenses of…
HEADQUARTERS OF THE FORCES, Richmond, Va., July 16, 1861. srig. Gen. J. B. MAGRUDER, Commanding, Yorktown, Va.: GENERAL: Your letter of the 13th, in reference to the defenses on famestown…
HEADQUARTERS OF THE FORCES, Richmond, Va., July 21, 1861. General W. W. LORING, Commanding Army of the N Seats GENERAL: In my letter of yesterday I directed your attention to…
HEADQUARTERS OF THE FORCES, Richmond, Va., July 23, 1861. GENERAL: I have received your two letters of the 20th,* reporting the state of military operations in the northwest. You have…
Richmond, Va. Richmond, Va., July 24, 1861. General H. A. WISE, Commanding, &e., Kanawha Valley, Va.: GENERAL: Your letter of the 17th has just been received and communicated to the…
HEADQUARTERS, Richmond, Va., July 26, 1861. General B. HuGER, Commanding Forces, Norfolk, Va.: GENERAL: I am much gratified to learn the progress made in the _ defenses at Norfolk and…
HEADQUARTERS, Richmond, Va., July 26, 1861. General H. A. WISE, Commanding, de., Kanawha Valley, Va. : GENERAL: I state for your information that General S. R. Anderson, with two regiments…
HEADQUARTERS OF THE FORCES, Richmond, Va., July 27, 1861. Brig. Gen. T. H. HouMEs, Commanding at Fredericksburg, Brooke’s Station, Va.: GENERAL: I regret to learn that the proposed construction of…
Ooosawhatchie, November 9, 1861. Hon. J. P. BENJAMIN Secretary of War: Sœ: On the evening of the 7th, on my way to the entrance of Port Royal Harbor, I met…
Coosawhatchie, December 9, 1861. Colonel [R. G. M.] DUNOVANT, Oommanding, do. : COLONEL: A dispatch has just been received from Colonel Jones, stating that the enemy was landing at Cunningham…
April 19, 1862. Seven miles from Fredericksburg, on Telegraph Road, April 19, 1862â6 a. m. GENERAL: I reached this point with my brigade yesterday about neon. A very sharp skirmish…
Richmond, Va. Richmond, Va., April 19, 1862. Commanding, &c., near Fredericksburg, Va.: GENERAL: Your letter of the 17th instant is received.* I desire that you shall do everything in your…
HEADQUARTERS AQUIA DISTRICT, April 20, 1862. GENERAL: I have the honor to submit the following report of my recent movements, terminating in the evacuation of Fredericks. burg: . My brigade…
June 29, 1862. June 29, 1862. Maj. Gen. J. B. MAGRUDER, Commanding Division: GENERAL: I regret much that you have made so little progress today in the pursuit of the…
June 29, 1862. June 29, 1862. Maj. Gen. J. B. MAGRUDER, Commanding Division: GENERAL: I regret much that you have made so little progress today in the pursuit of the…
GENERAL ORDERS, HEADQUARTERS IN THE FIELD, July 7, 1862. The general commanding, profoundly grateful to the only Giver of all victory for the signal success with which He has blessed…
July 28, 1862. Sir: General D. H. Hill has been directed to proceed with picked troops and about fifty pieces of artillery to old Fort Powhatan to endeavor to cut…
July 28, 1862. July 28, 1862. â GENERAL: I have received your letter of yesterday. I have determined to send General Pendleton, with certain of his batteries, as you will…
New Market, Va., August 7, 1862. Mr. PRESIDENT: It having been reported to me Tuesday evening that the enemy in considerable force had occupied Malvern Hill, and that it looked…
HEADQUARTERS, New Market, Va., August 7, 1862. Mr. PRESIDENT: It having been reported to me Tuesday evening that the enemy in considerable force had occupied Malvern Hill, and that it…
HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY DIVISION, December 5, 1862. December 5, 1862. Respectfully forwarded. sal Considering the perils attending such an expedition, the boldness of its inception was no less creditable to the…
HEADQUARTERS OAVALRY DIVISION, December 5, 1862. December &, 1862. Respectfully forwarded for the information of the commanding general, whose notice is respectfully called to the gallantry displayed by “See Lee…
FREDERICKSBURG, V. A. FREDERICKSBURG, V. A., December 13, 1862. General Hampton reports that he entered Dumfries at daylight yesterday ; captured 50 prisoners and 20 wagons, with stores; brought them…
HEADQUARTERS ARMY, December 14, 1862. December 14, 1862. I think it best to draw all re-enforcements you propose and all available torces from North and South Carolina. Keep guards to…