![]() For example, in most military agencies there is a standing order for enlisted men to salute officers. Standing orders are necessarily general and vague since the exact circumstances for execution occur in the future under unknown conditions. What makes it a general order (as opposed to a direct order), is that the actor is not explicitly named, nor precisely that (or whom) which is to be acted upon.Ī general order of indefinite duration may be referred to as a standing order. A general order has the force of law it is an offense punishable by court martial or lesser military court to disobey one. Wilbourn letter quoted above is also in the society's manuscripts collection, and a complete transcription of it is available online.In militaries and paramilitary organizations, a general order is a published directive, originated by a commander, and binding upon all personnel under his command, the purpose of which is to enforce a policy or procedure unique to his unit's situation which is not otherwise addressed in applicable service regulations, military law, or public law. Lee, including the order, currently bear reproduction and publication restrictions. Although most of this new collection is open to researchers, those items written by Robert E. And it speaks volumes about the historic value of the collection as a whole. That Lee chose to keep this document suggests its importance to him. In it, he praised Jackson's skills as a soldier and stated that his spirit would "inspire the whole army with his indomitable courage." Lee hoped that the soldiers of the Army of Northern Virginia would "emulate invincible determination to do every thing in defence of our beloved Country."Īmong the many treasures in the Mary Custis Lee Papers in the collections of the Virginia Historical Society is Robert E. On May 11, the same day he wrote Custis, Lee composed General Orders No. "It is a terrible loss," he told him, "I do not know how to replace him." All that remained was for Lee to announce the sad news to the army. "It becomes my melancholy duty to announce to you the death of General Jackson." The next day he wrote his son Custis a letter in which he succinctly summed up his thoughts on Jackson's death. General Lee immediately sent word to Secretary of War James A. On Sunday, May 10, at 3:15 p.m., Stonewall Jackson died. Over the next two days, his body weakened dramatically, and he drifted in and out of consciousness. By the night of Thursday May 7, however, Jackson showed unmistakable signs of pneumonia. The general appeared to be recovering nicely from the surgery. Later on May 3 Lee sent a brief note to Jackson-who was recovering in a field hospital after having his left arm amputated-in which he stated, "Could I have directed events, I should have chosen for the good of the country to be disabled in your stead." The next day an ambulance carried Jackson to Guiney's Station, a safe location south of Fredericksburg. any victory is dearly bought that deprives us of the services of Jackson even temporarily." ![]() After he finished, the general remarked, "Capt. then he said, 'thank God it is no worse, God be praised that he is yet alive.'" Lee then listened as Wilbourn described the victorious Confederate flank attack. Lee about an hour before day and found him laying on the ground sleep," wrote Wilbourn shortly thereafter. Wilbourn, signal officer on Jackson's staff, arrived at Lee's headquarters to tell him about the general's wounding and report on the progress of the battle. 61, which announced to his army the death of Jackson.īefore daybreak on May 3, 1863, Capt. Thus began the series of events that led eventually to Lee composing General Orders No. "Stonewall" Jackson, while he and others rode amid the chaos of the still-forming Confederate lines. On the night of May 2, friendly fire struck Lee's indispensable subordinate, Lt. The overwhelming southern victory, however, came at a high price. Lee experienced his best days as commander of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia during the battle of Chancellorsville in early May 1863.
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