The force existed in tandem with the Virginia State Navy, established and operated for the same period of time.
On April 27, the Governor of Virginia John Letcher approved the legislation[2] and also confirmed the commission of Robert E. Lee as "commander of the military and naval forces of Virginia" with the rank of major general.
The most famous of these were Stonewall Jackson and JEB Stuart who were both appointed as Colonels in the Provisional Army.
On July 17, 1861, the Confederate Secretary of War LeRoy Pope Walker wrote to the Virginia Secretary of the Commonwealth George W. Munford and advised the Provisional Army to cease recruiting actions and to thereafter incorporate its soldiers into the Confederate Army.
In a scene from the film Gods and Generals the creation of the Provisional Army of Virginia is announced by John Janney and Robert E. Lee accepts command.