Auction Closing: March 30, 2024 at 11:59 PM Pacific Time
Lot Number: 195
Estimate Range: $1,000 - $1,500
1865 General Robert E. Lee’s Printed “Field Orders No. 6” Announcing A Day of Humiliation, Fasting and Prayer

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March 1, 1865-Dated Civil War Period, Head Quarters Army of Northern VA., Field Press General Orders No. 6, Signed in Type “R. E. LEE”, Ordering that March 10th be Observed by his Army with "due solemnity" as a Day of Humiliation, Fasting and Prayer, printed on the Field Press of the Army of Northern Virginia, Fine.

General Lee announces to his Army that President Jefferson Davis "has appointed the 10th day of March as a day of public humiliation, fasting and prayer" and orders that "the day will therefore be observed with due solemnity in this army. All military duties and operations of the Staff departments except such as are absolutely necessary will be suspended. The Chaplains will hold religious services in their respective commands". General Lee then offers a heartfelt prayer for God's aid to restore their fortunes in the war and that "in his own good time He will establish us among the nations of the earth".

A rare Confederate Field Press imprint measuring 8" x 5" typeset printed in black on off-white light to moderate toned wove period paper with modest ink show-through from the blank reverse.

PROPERTY FROM THE COLLECTION OF

AMBASSADOR J. WILLIAM MIDDENDORF II

Prior Provenance Ex: Sotheby Parke Bernet, Stein Collection, January 30, 1979.