Astounded and alarmed at this unexpected peril, the Federal authorities
instantly ordered McDowell's corps of 40,000 men, which was on
the point of joining McClellan, to remain and defend the capital.
This was a serious blow to McClellan who had counted upon using
these troops, though even without them he greatly outnumbered the
Confederates. But the idea that he was opposed by an overwhelming
force had taken such a firm hold on his mind that he was almost
afraid to move, and while he was timidly feeling his way General
Joseph Johnston, commanding the defenses at Richmond, attacked
his advance corps at Seven Pines, May 31, 1862. A fierce contest
followed, during which Johnston was severely wounded, and Jefferson
Davis, who was on the field, promptly summoned General Lee to the
command.

It was a serious situation which confronted Lee when he was thus
suddenly recalled to active duty, for McClellan's army outnumbered
his by at least 40,000 men and it was within six miles of Richmond,
from the roofs of whose houses the glow of the Union campfires
was plainly visible. Nevertheless, he determined to put on a bold
front and attack his opponent at his weakest point. But how to
discover this was a difficult problem and the situation did not admit
of a moment's delay. Under ordinary circumstances the information
might have been secured through spies, but there was no time for
this and confronted by the necessity for immediate action, Lee
thought of "Jeb" Stuart, his son's classmate at West Point, who
had acted as aide in the capture of John Brown.

Stuart was only twenty-nine years old but he had already made a name
for himself as a general of cavalry, and Lee knew him well enough
to feel confident that, if there was any one in the army who could