Robert E. Lee’s Farewell to the Army of Northern Virginia

General Robert E. Lee’s Farewell Address, issued on April 10, 1865 — the day after his surrender to Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House — is known as General Order No. 9. It was written and drafted by Colonel Charles Marshall and edited by Lee himself

The order came after four years of the Civil War, during which Lee had led the Army of Northern Virginia with distinction. Facing overwhelming Union forces, Lee chose to end the conflict to spare his men further loss. He emphasized that his decision was not due to distrust of his soldiers, but because he believed continued resistance would cause unnecessary sacrifice.

Lee’s Farewell Address is remembered as a model of leadership, humility, and respect for his men. It reflected his belief in duty, honor, and the preservation of life over continued combat. The order has since become a symbol of the end of the Civil War and the transition from military service to civilian life for many soldiers.