An original copy of General Orders No. 3, published by the C.S. Adjutant and Inspector General’s Office in Richmond on February 6, 1865. The order is in three parts, published for “the information of the army.” The first part is notice of an act of the Confederate congress approved on January 23, 1865, that establishes the office of General-in-Chief. This has a second section that repeals an act providing a staff for a general “who may be assigned to duty at the Seat of Government,” but establishes a staff for the newly created position of General-in-Chief. The second part of the order is the formal notice that Lee has been duly appointed to the post of General in Chief and, “will be obeyed and respected accordingly.”

Interestingly, the third part of the General Order formally revokes General Orders, No. 23, of 1864. This set of orders had assigned Braxton Bragg to “duty at the Seat of Government,” charging him with, “the conduct of military operations in the Armies of the Confederacy.” This put Bragg in position as Jefferson Davis’s top military advisor. But, Bragg’s performance in the post was not much better than his troubled command of the Army of Tennessee, which had led to his transfer east in the first place. Without naming him, this order thus moves Bragg aside and dissolves his staff as it brings in Lee. It was too little, however, and too late. Just over two months later Lee was forced to surrender at Appomattox. Both Davis and Bragg were captured about three weeks later.

In excellent condition, with just minor foxing spots. About 5 by 7 ¾ inches.  [SR]

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