the city of Richmond, and other preparations for resisting an attack,
testified to the immense care and labour bestowed upon the defense
of the capital, so seriously threatened by the army of General
McClellan."

On May 31st, the battle of Seven Pines was fought, and General Joseph
E. Johnston, commanding the Confederate Army, was severely wounded.
The next day, by order of the President, General Lee took command
of the Army of Northern Virginia.

The day after the battle of Cold Harbor, during the "Seven Days"
fighting around Richmond, was the first time I met my father after I
had joined General Jackson. The tremendous work Stonewall's men had
performed, including the rapid march from the Valley of Virginia, the
short rations, the bad water, and the great heat, had begun to tell
upon us, and I was pretty well worn out. On this particular morning,
my battery had not moved from its bivouac ground of the previous night,
but was parked in an open field all ready, waiting orders. Most of
the men were lying down, many sleeping, myself among the latter number.
To get some shade and to be out of the way, I had crawled under a
caisson, and was busy making up many lost hours of rest. Suddenly
I was rudely awakened by a comrade, prodding me with a sponge-staff
as I had failed to be aroused by his call, and was told to get up and
come out, that some one wished to see me. Half awake, I staggered
out, and found myself face to face with General Lee and his staff.
Their fresh uniforms, bright equipments and well-groomed horses
contrasted so forcibly with the war-worn appearance of our command
that I was completely dazed. It took me a moment or two to realise
what it all meant, but when I saw my father's loving eyes and smile
it became clear to me that he had ridden by to see if I was safe and