the confederate states army (csa) was organized in february 1861 to fight for the confederate states of america during the american civil war. somewhere between 750,000 and 1.2 million soldiers served the confederacy in one form or another. the exact numbers are not known because of incomplete and destroyed records. although it won many battles the confederate army lost the war. it could not overcome the union army's larger numbers and better resources. on april 9, 1865, general robert e. lee surrendered what was left of the army of northern virginia to general ulysses s. grant at appomattox court house, virginia. while his army was only a part of the total confederate army, his surrender marked the end of the confederacy. on june 23, 1865, georgia's stand watie became the last confederate general to surrender.