y General Winsfield Scott, but he declined the offer. Instead of assisting General Scott, he supported the new president of the Confederate states, Jefferson Davis. Initially, there were two commanding officers of the Eastern Army, Joe Johnston and P.G.T. Beauregard. After Johnston was unable to continue his service due to injury, Lee was the unquestionable new leader to take his Johnston’s place. This was the beginning of his career as the head of the Army of Northern Virginia. Lee’s skill as a strategist led him to many victories against many of President Lincoln’s generals. One of Lee’s upsets was against Lee’s greatest victory was the Battle of Chancellorsville (May 1865). During this battle, General Hooker’s forces greatly outnumbered Lee’s troops. Although they had this aspect against them, Lee, along with Stonewall Jackson, defeated the Union’s army using his ability to use tactics. This gave the Confederates confidence, and they wished to continue to threaten the North by invading the North for a second time. The South was anticipating this to destroy the federal forces, so they could successfully march on Washington. They would then present a letter to the president. This letter would ask the president to recognize the CSA. ...
