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.
GENERAL ORDERS, HEADQUARTERS, April 22, 1861. Nowa } Fredericksburg, Va., April 22, 1861. By the authority of the governor of the State of Virginia I assume command of the volunteers…
Norfolk, Va. Norfolk, Va., May 6, 1861. Maj. Gen. RoBERT E. LEE, Commanding Forces of the State of Virginia: GENERAL: I have received your communication of the 3d instant,* and…
DIVISION HEADQUARTERS, Harper’s Ferry, Va., May 7, 1861. Major-General LEE, Commanding Virginia Forces : GENERAL: I forward herewith a statement of the strength of my command at this post, of…
GRAFTON, VA. GRAFTON, VA., May 10, 1861. General R. E. LEE: Sir: Being pressed for time and deeming it necessary to communicate with you at once, I wrote from this…
STAUNTON, V. A. STAUNTON, V. A., July 14, 1861. General R. E. LEE: ‘ Below is a note, sent in by Private Strain, from Colonel Scott. I can form no…
HEADQUARTERS OF THE FORCES, Richmond, Va., July 16, 1861. GENERAL: In the dispatch of the 14th instant you were directed to take command of the available troops of the Northwestern…
Four miles west of Lewisburg Four miles west of Lewisburg, August 1, 1861. General R. E. LEE, Commanding, &c.: * ‘Sir: Iam here, falling back to Covington, under orders left…
Doawoop GAP CAMP Doawoop GAP CAMP, August 24, 1861. General R. E. LEE, Commanding, c. : pee SIR: I received your last dispatch. this morning, and I confess with —…
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 was posted as…
Camp Spottsylvania, April 20, 1862. GENERAL: I have the honor to report that Lieut. Col. W. H. F. Lee has just arrived in my camp, and makes the following statement…
BRIGADE HEADQUARTERS, Camp Spottsylvania, April 20, 1862. GENERAL: I have the honor to report that Lieut. Col. W. H. F. Lee has just arrived in my camp, and makes the…
Near Richmond, July 21, 1862. GENERAL: I have the honor to submit the following report of the pert performed by the several portions of my command and by myself in…
Falling Creek, Chesterfield County, July 21, 1862. GENERAL: I submit herewith the reports of different commanders in this division, showing the part taken by the troops under their com-‘ mand…
HEADQUARTERS ARTILLERY CORPS, Near Richmond, July 21, 1862. GENERAL: I have the honor to submit the following report of the pert performed by the several portions of my command and…
HEADQUARTERS OF DIVISION, Falling Creek, Chesterfield County, July 21, 1862. GENERAL: I submit herewith the reports of different commanders in this division, showing the part taken by the troops under…
August 2, 1862. August 2, 1862. I submit the following report of the operations of this brigade at or near Malvern Hili on the 1st ultimo: On that morning I…
HEADQUARTERS FOURTH BRIGADE, THIRD DIVISION, August 2, 1862. August 2, 1862. I submit the following report of the operations of this brigade at or near Malvern Hili on the 1st…
HEADQUARTERS LEE’S CAVALRY BRIGADE, Morse Neck, Va., December 5, 1862. GENERAL: I have the honor to forward Colonel Beale’s report of an expedition sent into Westmoreland, which, as you know,…
HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY PICKET, Hammond’s House, Va., December 11, 1862. Sir: I have to report that, in obedience to your orders, I proceeded this morning, with 15 men of Company M…
HEADQUARTERS FIRST CAVALRY BRIGADE, January 7, 1863. January 7, 1863. Respectfully forwarded. The force which Major C. encountered at Elk Run is all that remains of Hampton’s Legion (his old…
December 19, 1863. December 19, 1863. Respectfully forwarded. I believe this might be tried, and probably with advantage. A. P. HILL, LIneutenant- General. ORANGE, December 23, 1868. Respectfully returned. In…
HEADQUARTERS THIRD ARMY CORPS, December 19, 1863. December 19, 1863. Respectfully forwarded. I believe this might be tried, and probably with advantage. A. P. HILL, LIneutenant-General. [Fourth indorsement.]} ORANGE, December…
CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA, WAR DEPARTMENT, Richmond,’Va., February 19, 1864. General R. E. LEE, Commanding, &e.: GENERAL: The pressure of business incident to the close of the session of Congress,…
Richmond, February 20, 1864. General R. E. LEn, GENERAL: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 16th [15th] instant,* mentioning the measures you deem…