The Army of Northern Virginia was the primary military force of the Confederate States of America in the Eastern Theater of the American Civil War, as well as the primary command structure of the Department of Northern Virginia. It was most often arrayed against the Union Army of the Potomac. Three districts were created under the Department of Northern Virginia:
- Aquia District
- First commander: Maj. Gen. Theophilus H. Holmes
- Period of existence: October 22, 1861, to April 18, 1862
- Potomac District
- First commander: Gen. P. G. T. Beauregard
- Period of existence: October 22, 1861, to January 29, 1862
- Valley District
- First commander: Maj. Gen. Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson
- Period of existence: October 22, 1861, to April 9, 1865
While the Aquia and Potomac Districts ceased to exist by the spring of 1862, the need remained for military organization in the Valley throughout the remainder of the war, and the Valley District remained in place for the duration of the war.
Read more about Army Of Northern Virginia: Origin, Command Under Brigadier General P. G. T. Beauregard, Command Under General J. E. Johnston, Temporary Command Under Major General G. W. Smith, Command Under General R. E. Lee, Campaigns and Battles, Legacy
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“That we can come here today and in the presence of thousands and tens of thousands of the survivors of the gallant army of Northern Virginia and their descendants, establish such an enduring monument by their hospitable welcome and acclaim, is conclusive proof of the uniting of the sections, and a universal confession that all that was done was well done, that the battle had to be fought, that the sections had to be tried, but that in the end, the result has inured to the common benefit of all.”
—William Howard Taft (1857–1930)
“I declare Billy. I like you so much personally I wish I could vote for you. But bein’ a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, I just as leave cut my throat as to vote for a Democrat.”
—Laurence Stallings (1894–1968)
“My topic for Army reunions ... this summer: How to prepare for war in time of peace. Not by fortifications, by navies, or by standing armies. But by policies which will add to the happiness and the comfort of all our people and which will tend to the distribution of intelligence [and] wealth equally among all. Our strength is a contented and intelligent community.”
—Rutherford Birchard Hayes (1822–1893)
“You’ll wait a long, long time for anything much
To happen in heaven beyond the floats of cloud
And the Northern Lights that run like tingling nerves.”
—Robert Frost (1874–1963)