[132]
Southern Department to Richmond, and on March 13th he was assigned to the position of commander of the armies of the Confederacy and charged with the duty of conducting all the military operations of the Southern armies under the direction of the President.
A few months previous to this his name had been mentioned in connection with the position of Secretary of War.
The appointment, however, was not made, possibly because it was considered unwise to confine such great military talent within the bureau of a cabinet officer.
General Lee's youngest son, Robert, eighteen years old at this time, made up his mind to leave the University of Virginia and go into the army.
His father gave him permission, saying in a letter to his wife:
During that month the Federal commanders displayed great activity.
McClellan's large and well-organized army was being transferred to the Peninsula. General Lee wrote to his wife from Richmond, March 22, 1862: “Our enemies are pressing us everywhere and our army is in the fermentation of reorganization.
I pray that the great God may aid us, and am endeavoring by every means in my power to bring out the troops and hasten them to their destination.”
Much had happened during his absence from Virginia.
The campaign was subjected to new conditions, and the location of the two principal armies in that State had been changed.
The next battlefield was to be much closer to Richmond.
Johnston and Beauregard after the battle of Manassas continued to occupy that section, extending their outposts, however, closer to Washington, while partially blockading the Potomac River by some
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