Origins
This Confederate army was under the command of Robert E Lee. Up until the Battle of Gettysburg, it had not lost a single battle before. It had outstanding morale and was well equipped, making it one of, if not the strongest force the Confederacy had. Being the primary army of the Confederacy in the eastern part of the Civil War, it was often pitted against Union armies, usually the Army of the Potomac. The army had originated as the the Army of the Potomac (Confederate), and later, as it was merged with other armies, was renamed the Army of Northern Virginia. Led first by Johnston, then Stuart, at last Lee was put in charge of the army.
Chain of Command
Led by General Robert E Lee, the Army of Northern Virginia was a formidable fighting force. At the time of the Battle of Gettysburg, it was separated into four Corps: The First Corps, Second Corps, Third Corps, and the Cavalry Corps. Consisting of 75,000 men, the army was both able to fight well defensively, as well as carry out Lee's aggressive strategies.
(Before the Battle of Gettysburg, Stonewall Jackson was killed at the Battle of Chancellorsville. His old Corps was divided into the 2nd and 3rd Corps)
(Before the Battle of Gettysburg, Stonewall Jackson was killed at the Battle of Chancellorsville. His old Corps was divided into the 2nd and 3rd Corps)
Gettysburg
At Gettysburg, the Army of Northern Virginia fought against The Army of the Potomac, led by General George G Meade. The army suffered horrendous casualties here, and lost almost a third of all its men. These losses crippled the army, and broke the chain of command, as many officers were killed, wounded, or captured.
After Gettysburg
After Gettysburg, the losses it sustained and its inability to replace them caused the army to grow weaker. Though it fought on for another two years, after the death of A.P Hill, and the loss of its Third Corps, it was unable to continue fighting. In 1865, Lee finally surrendered.
Despite the fact that it was ultimately defeated, the legacy this army left is undeniable. It is one of the most respected armies in America's history. Although it fought against numerically superior forces, it often came out victorious. It repelled Union forces from Richmond in the 7 Days Battles in 1862; it held out against overwhelming odds at Petersburg and in the Overland Campaign in 1864. The Army of Northern Virginia, and its commander, Robert E. Lee, are famous in Southern culture.
Despite the fact that it was ultimately defeated, the legacy this army left is undeniable. It is one of the most respected armies in America's history. Although it fought against numerically superior forces, it often came out victorious. It repelled Union forces from Richmond in the 7 Days Battles in 1862; it held out against overwhelming odds at Petersburg and in the Overland Campaign in 1864. The Army of Northern Virginia, and its commander, Robert E. Lee, are famous in Southern culture.