The decisive moment had now arrived which was to test him.  He was placed in command of the largest and most important army in the Confederacy, and to him was intrusted the defence of the capital not only of Virginia, but of the South.  If Richmond were to fall, the Confederate Congress, executive, and heads of departments, would all be fugitives.  The evacuation of Virginia might or might not follow, but, in the very commencement of the conflict, the enemy would achieve an immense advantage.  Recognition by the European powers would be hopeless in such an event, and the wandering and fugitive government of the Confederacy would excite only contempt.

Such were the circumstances under which General Lee assumed command of the “Army of Northern Virginia,” as it was soon afterward styled.  The date of his assignment to duty was June 3, 1862—­three days after General Johnston had retired in consequence of his wound.  Thirty days afterward the great campaign around Richmond had been decided, and to the narrative of what followed the appointment of Lee we shall at once proceed, after giving a few words to another subject connected with his family.

When General Lee left “Washington to repair to Richmond,” he removed the ladies of his family from Arlington to the “White House” on the Pamunkey, near the spot where that river unites with the Mattapony to form the York River.  This estate, like the Arlington property, had come into possession of General Lee through his wife, and as Arlington was exposed to the enemy, the ladies had taken refuge here, with the hope that they would be safe from intrusion or danger.  The result was unfortunate.  The White House was a favorable “base” for the Federal army, and intelligence one day reached Mrs. Lee and her family that the enemy were approaching.  The ladies therefore hastened from the place to a point of greater safety, and before her departure Mrs. Lee is said to have affixed to the door a paper containing the following words: 

“Northern soldiers who profess to reverence Washington, forbear to desecrate the home of his first married life, the property of his wife, now owned by her descendants.

“A GRAND-DAUGHTER OF MRS. WASHINGTON.”

When the Federal forces took possession of the place, a Northern officer, it is said, wrote beneath this: 

“A Northern officer has protected your property, in sight of the enemy, and at the request of your overseer.”

The resolute spirit of Mrs. Lee is indicated by an incident which followed.  She took refuge with her daughters in a friend’s house near Richmond, and, when a Federal officer was sent to search the house, handed to him a paper addressed to “the general in command,” in which she wrote: 

“Sir:  I have patiently and humbly submitted to the search of my house, by men under your command, who are satisfied that there is nothing here which they want.  All the plate and other valuables have long since been removed to Richmond, and are now beyond the reach of any Northern marauders who may wish for their possession.