 Although Robert E. Lee (II) (qv) was a highly regarded officer in  the American army, his dislike of slavery and rather lukewarm  approach to the issue of secession combined with some early reverses  while in command of the Virginia militia caused him to not be  considered for field command in the Confederate army. He was instead  made an advisor to Jefferson Davis. He was named to command the  Confederate army outside of Richmond in 1862 when Gen. Joseph  Johnston was wounded, because Davis disliked Gen. P.G.T. Beauregard  and did not want him in command.