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At the Battle of Antietam, or Sharpsburg, (September 17, 1862) it was led by General Robert E. Lee. The right wing was under the command of Major General James Longstreet and the left wing under Major General Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson. The Cavalry was led by Major General James Ewell Brown Stuart and the Reserve Artillery by Brigadier General W. N. Pendleton .

The Army fought in a number of battles, including:

• Battle of Antietam September 17 1862
• Battle of Gettysburg July 1 1863
• Battle of Cold Harbor
• Battle of ChancellorsvilleThe Battle of Chancellorsville marked the zenith of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia's powers in its struggle to force a retreat of the Army of the Potomac from Virginia and thereby aid the Confederate States of America in its attempt to gain ind
• Battle of FredericksburgThe Battle of Fredericksburg fought on December 13, 1862 between General Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia and the Army of the Potomac commanded by Maj. Ambrose E. Burnside, is today remembered as one of the most one-sided battles of the American December 11December 11 is the 345th day (346th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. There are 20 days remaining. Events 1205 John Grey, Bishop of Norwich, elected Archbishop of Canterbury 1792 King Louis XVI of France goes on trial for treason 1816 1862
• Battle of Seven Pines May 31May 31 is the 151st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (152nd in leap years). There are 214 days remaining. Events 1578 Martin Frobisher sails from Harwich, England, destined to mine fool's gold at Frobisher Bay, which is used to pave streets in Lo 1862
• Battle of Spotsylvania Court HouseThe Battle of Spotsylvania Court House sometimes simply referred to as the Battle of Spotsylvania, was the final battle of the American Civil War fought in the Rapidan-Rappahannock river areas, in which more than 100,000 men on both sides fell between 186
• Battle of the CraterThe Battle of the Crater was a battle of the American Civil War, part of the Siege of Petersburg. It took place on July 30, 1864 between the Army of Northern Virginia commanded by Gen. Lee and the Army of the Potomac, commanded by Lieut. Ulysses S. Grant
• Battle of the Wilderness May 5 1864

On April 9 1865, the Army of Northern Virginia surrendered to the Army of the Potomac at Appomattox Court House, effectively ending the Civil War, with General Lee signing the papers of surrender to General Ulysses S. Grant.

Of note is "Robert E. Lee's Farewell to the Army of Northern Virginia":

"After four years of arduous service, marked by unsurpassed courage and fortitude, the Army of Northern Virginia has been compelled to yield to overwhelming numbers and resources.

I need not tell the survivors of so many hard-fought battles who have remained steadfast to the last that I have consented to this result from no distrust of them; but feeling that valor and devotion could accomplish nothing that could compensate for the loss that would have attended the continuance of the contest, I determined to avoid the useless sacrifice of those whose past services have endeared them to their countrymen. By the terms of the agreement, officers and men can return to their homes and remain until exchanged.

You may take with you the satisfaction that proceeds from the consciousness of duty faithfully performed, and I earnestly pray that a merciful God will extend to you his blessing and protection.

With an unceasing admiration of your constancy and devotion to your country, and a grateful remembrance of your kind and generous consideration of myself, I bid you all an affectionate farewell."

See also: Steven Vincent Benet's poem "Army of Northern Virginia"