Which Confederate general commanded the Army of Northern Virginia before Robert E. Lee?

The Confederate general who commanded the Army of Northern Virginia before Robert E. Lee was Joseph E. Johnston.

Johnston took command of Confederate forces in Northern Virginia in July 1861 after the Army of the Shenandoah joined forces near Manassas. The organization was initially known as the Confederate Army of the Potomac and was later associated with the Army of Northern Virginia. Johnston led it during the First Battle of Bull Run, the Confederacy’s first major victory.

In early 1862, Johnston withdrew toward Richmond during the Peninsula Campaign as Union General George B. McClellan advanced. Johnston attacked at the Battle of Seven Pines, also called Fair Oaks, on May 31, 1862. He was severely wounded during the fighting, and General Robert E. Lee replaced him on June 1.

Lee became the army’s most famous commander, but Johnston’s earlier leadership is an important part of its history. The wording can cause confusion because P. G. T. Beauregard commanded the force before Johnston, while Gustavus W. Smith briefly held command after Johnston was wounded. Johnston later commanded the Confederate Army of Tennessee and opposed William T. Sherman during the Atlanta Campaign.