[
149]
Chapter 8: commands the army defending Richmond, and seven days battles.
General Lee and
Mr. Davis were on the field on May 31st, and the latter was at once informed of Gen, eral
Johnston's being wounded.
Riding back with
General Lee to
Richmond that night,
Mr. Davis told him he proposed to assign him at once to the command of the Confederate army defending
Richmond, and would make out the order as soon as he reached the city.
Accordingly, very early the next morning
General Lee received the following:
Sir: The unfortunate casualty which has deprived the army in front of
Richmond of its immediate commander,
General Johnston, renders it necessary to interfere temporarily with the duties to which you were assigned in connection with the
general service, but only so far as to make you available for command in the field of a particular army.
You will assume command of the army in
eastern Virginia and in
North Carolina, and give such orders as may be needful and proper.
Very respectfully, Jefferson Davis.
On the reception of this note,
General Lee published
Special orders no. 22.
In pursuance of the orders of the
President,
General R. E. Lee assumes command of the armies of
eastern Virginia and
North Carolina.
The unfortunate casualty that has deprived the army in front of
Richmond of the valuable services of its able general is not more deeply deplored by any member of the command than by its present commander.
He hopes his absence will be
