General Order No. 9 is Robert E. Lee’s last order and final farewell to the troops of his Army of North Virginia in the American Civil War. Written on 10 April 1865, the day after Lee’s surrender to Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House he explains his reasons for surrender, acknowledging the kinship and respect he feels for his soldiers; they would understand that this was “from no distrust of them” but because “valor and devotion could accomplish nothing that would compensate the loss that would attend the continuance of the contest”. Lee knew that a Confederate victory would not be possible and surrender was his only option to avoid unnecessary loss of life. 

Lee held command of the Army of Northern Virginia from June 1861 and led them to victories throughout the war. Notably at Fredericksburg, the Second Manassas, Chancellorsville and Cold Harbor. However, at Appomattox, they were vastly outnumbered, starving and surrounded; Lee had little choice but to surrender. Given the Confederate reliance on this army, Lee’s surrender effectively ended the Civil War.

Following Lee’s surrender rations were sent from Grant to the Confederate troops and they were allowed to return home under that condition that they would never again rise up against the Union.

Prior to the Civil War Lee was opposed to secession and, given his high regard in the U.S. Army, was favored to lead the Union forces. However, he would only bear arms in defense of his beloved home-State Virginia which led him to leave the US Army and take up command in the Virginia forces. This sort of unwavering loyalty to his state is expressed as he addresses his similarly loyal troops, those “who have remained steadfastly to the last” referencing the depleting numbers of the Confederate army. Desertions, as well as battle fatalities and injuries, had reduced their numbers greatly during the final battle and the encounters preceding it – perhaps even as few as 8,000 men remained.

Following the Siege of Petersburg, Lee attempted to relocate his army to the west in order to replenish supplies and allow his besieged forces some respite from attack. The Union forces pursued the Confederates relentlessly until at Appomattox, Union soldiers cornered the Confederates forcing a surrender.

Lee is often held as a symbol for reconciliation between the north and south. He was well respected by his men and by his opponents and successful in battle. However, he did not conform to a lot of the ideals of the Confederacy, meaning that Unionists thought favorably of him. In choosing to lead the Army of Northern Virginia he embodies the ideal of the honorable Southerner, willing to sacrifice for his state and so can walk the line between the two opposing sides of the Civil War.

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