All General Orders issued during a given year were collected and bound into book form at the end of that year. These three printed pages of General Orders were once so bound and were later removed.

The first is General Order #66 dated June 28, 1863 in which Major General Joseph Hooker announces his surrendering of the command of the Army of the Potomac to Major General George G. Meade. After assuring the Army of Meade’s competence Hooker goes on to state that he feels his usefulness to the Army is impaired and that he parts from it with “the deepest emotion.” He ends the order with a statement of his confidence that the Army will prevail over its enemies.

The second is General Order #67 also dated June 28, 1863. In it Major General George G. Meade announces his assumption of command of the Army of the Potomac which he states is “… an order totally unexpected and unsolicited…” After some kind words about his predecessor he points out the seriousness of the situation and encourages the Army to do its duty and leave the results to God.

The third is General Order #68 dated July 4, 1863. This is General Meade’s congratulatory order to the Army of the Potomac after its victory at Gettysburg. He says in the main part of the order “An enemy superior in numbers and flushed with the pride of a successful invasion, attempted to overcome and destroy this Army. Utterly baffled and defeated, he has now withdrawn from the contest. The privations and fatigue the Army has endured, and the heroic courage and gallantry it has displayed will be matters of history to be ever remembered.”  Meade then reminds the Army that its task is not finished and reminds them to thank God for their victory.

Each page meas. approx. 5.00 x 8.00 inches with one ragged edge where it was torn from the printed book of General Orders. Overall the condition is very good.

The printed volumes of wartime General Orders can sell for over a thousand dollars. These orders are the best and most sought after of the volumes printed during the war.  [ad]

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