# Confederate Army explained — Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant

> Chapter companion for Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant by Ulysses S. Grant.

## What happens

This chapter provides a detailed organizational breakdown of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia as of August 31, 1834, listing the command structure, divisions, brigades, and artillery units under General Robert E. Lee.

## Themes in this chapter

### The Horrors and Cost of War

The detailed listing of units and commanders underscores the massive scale and human cost of the conflict.

### Leadership and Humility

The command hierarchy from Lee down to brigade commanders illustrates the chain of command and the burden of leadership.

## Character check-ins

### Robert E. Lee

Commanding General of the Army of Northern Virginia

### Jubal Early

Commanding the Second Army Corps

### Ambrose P. Hill

Commanding the Third Army Corps

### Wade Hampton

Commanding the Cavalry Corps

### John B. Gordon

Commanding a division in the Second Army Corps

### George E. Pickett

Commanding a division in the First Army Corps

### Henry Heth

Commanding a division in the Third Army Corps

### Richard S. Ewell

Mentioned as commanding a division (Edward Johnson's Division) in the Second Army Corps

## Key lines

> Organization of the Army of Northern Virginia, Commanded by General Robert E. Lee, August 31st, 1834.

The Army of Northern Virginia was organized under General Robert E. Lee as of August 31, 1834.

_Establishes the date and command of the army._

> First Army Corps: Lieut. -Gen. R. H. Anderson, Commanding.

The First Army Corps was led by Lieutenant General R. H. Anderson.

_Identifies the commander of the First Corps._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/confederate-army
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters