ollow the destiny of his State" (Kelley 41). Only two days after his resignation from the United States Army, Leetravelled to Richmond to accept his commission as a General in theConfederate army J. Davis-Papers). Lee's impact was felt immediately on theconfederacy. As a seasoned military strategist, he brought the mostcomprehensive, technologically advanced knowledge of warfare to bearagainst his own former army (Nash 257). General Lee's first campaign in what was to become West Virginia was not agreat success. Command of the Eastern Army was divided between the hero ofFort Sumpter, P.G.T. Beauragard, and Joseph Johnston who together won thefirst big battle of the East, Bull Run. Thus Joseph Johnston was in commandwhen George B. McClellan started his march on Richmond. When Johnston wentdown with wounds it was easy for Davis to replace him with General Lee. Leeimmediately took charge and attacked, trying to make up for his numberswith audacity. He drove the Union army back about 25 miles, but was unableto destroy it in a series of continuous battles known as the Seven DaysBattle. In September of 1862, McClellan attacked Lee at the Battle of Antietam.McClellan attacked Lee but failed to break his lines. Lee, realising thathe was in a dangerous position and far from his supplies, retreated andtook up a defensive position behind the Rappangonnock River in northernVirginia. Here General Ambrose E. Burnside, who succeeded McClellan,attacked Lee in December at the Battle of Fredricksburg and met a bloodyrepulse. As the year of 1862 closed, Lee had given the Confederacy itsgreatest victories and had become an idol of the Southern people (Comptons). Lee's Greatest victory was the Battle of Chancelorsville in May of 1863.Lee was faced with a larger army led by fighting Joe Hooker. Lee and hismost trusted lieutenant, General "Stonewall" Jackson, divided their forcesand through a forced march around General Hooker fell on his exposed flank,roll...
