Imperial Prince Arisugawanomiya Taruhito was appointed as Tosei Daitokutfu (the Great Governor-General in charge of the military expedition to the east), and dispatched the expeditionary force to the east (also called the Imperial army) to the areas of Tokai-do Road, Nakasen-do Road, and Hokuriku-do Road.
東征大総督として有栖川宮熾仁親王が任命され、東海道・中山道・北陸道にそれぞれ東征軍（官軍とも呼ばれた）が派遣された。