It will be remembered that Lee held no commission from the Confederate States; he was major-general of the Provisional Army of Virginia, and to place this Provisional Army in a condition to take the field was the first duty before him.

It was difficult, not from want of ardor in the population, but from the want of the commonest material necessary in time of war.

There were few arms, and but small supplies of ammunition.

While the Federal Government entered upon the war with the amplest resources, the South found herself almost entirely destitute of the munitions essential to her protection.

All was to be organized and put at once into operation--the quartermaster, commissary, ordnance, and other departments.