Fourth Corps, Army of Northern Virginia

Fourth Corps, Army of Northern Virginia

Confederate battle flag
Active October 19, 1864– April 8, 1865[1]
Country Confederate States of America
Allegiance Confederate States Army
Type Army Corps
Role infantry tactics,
trench warfare
Size 2-3 divisions,
9-13 brigades
Part of Army of Northern Virginia
Nickname Anderson's Corps
Engagements American Civil War
Commanders
Notable
commanders
Richard Anderson

The Fourth Corps was a military unit formed in October 1864 within the Army of Northern Virginia of the Confederate Army.[2] It fought for the Confederate States of America during the late stages of the American Civil War. The corps was commanded by Richard H. Anderson during its short life and was combined with the Second Corps shortly before Lee's surrender on April 9, 1865.

Contents

1864

With the recovery of Lt. General James Longstreet from injury, which allowed him to resume leading the First Corps, a new Fourth Corps was created on October 19, 1864. Commanded by temporary Lt. General Anderson, it was made up of units from the First, Second, and Third Corps of Lee's army, plus other reserve & detached units from around Richmond.[3]

1865

The Fourth Corps spent the winter of 1864/5 encamped around Petersburg as part of the Army of Northern Virginia. In April the Army of the Potomac, under General Ulysses Grant, broke through the defences and successfully concluded the siege of Richmond, initiating the start of the Appomattox Campaign. The Fourth Corps retreated with the rest of General Lee's Army but was largely destroyed in the Battle of Sayler's Creek, during which several key officers including the Fourth Corp's commander General Richard Anderson, were captured. The survivors were surrendered three days later, on 9 April 1865, at Appomattox Courthouse.

Legacy

References

Notes

  1. ^ Eicher, p.105
  2. ^ Dupuy, p. 40.
  3. ^ Eicher, p. 889.

See also