The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1862-12-17

an ambulance when the army is in motion,
and occupies tent when it is stationary,
and not the largest and best house in the
neighborhood. as is the custom of some off.
GERS. In a few words, he cares but little
for appearances, though one Of the hand
somest men in the Confederacy, and IS con
tent to take the same fare his soldiers re-
ceive. 1pS1
In character and personal department. he
is all that the most ardent patriot can de-
sire. Grave and dgnlfed, he il vet mod
est and painfully distrustful Of his own
abilities. The descendant Of gallant off :
cer OF the elder revolution, the husband of
the grand daughter (by adoption) of Gen.
Washington, the nheritor of large estate,
and the trusted leader of great and VIC
torIous army, he is nevertheless accessible
to the humblest and most ragged sollier in
the ranks, courteous to his officers. Just and
kind to the citizen, and withaI and above
all. meek and humble christian. -
During the time the army was in Mary
land. an officer of high position in the
country suggested a number of reasons to
Gen. Lee in support Of grave measure
then under discussion. Among Others, he
remarked to him that lie was trusted by
his government. had the hearts Of his SOL
diers, and possessed the entire confidence of
his country, and that tie Army, the Co.
vernment and People relied implicitly upon
his patriotism and genius. Tears rushed
to his eyes, and he exclaimed. Do not
say that-do not say that. am sensible Of
my weakness, and such a responsibility as
your remark implies would crush me to the
earth" He said IN the same conversation
that there was nothing be so much desired
as peace and independence. All he had !,
and all he hoped ior-al that ambition
could suggest or glnry give--he would
freely surrender them al! to stop the fuw
Of blond and secure freedom to The coun
try. H. did not doubt that these blessings
would come in due season but he wanted
them now, and would readily sacrifice ey-
cry thought OF personal aggrandizement 10
save the life of even one soldier.
Gen. Lee, though not possessing the first
order OF intellect, is endowed with rare
judgment and equanimity, unerrng sagaci-
", great self-control, and extraordinary
powers of combination. Like Washington,
he is wise man. and good man, and pos
sesses in an eminent degree those qualities
which are indispensable in the great leader
and champion upon whom the country rests
its hopes of present success and future in.
dependence. In simple intellect there are
other officers in the service who are his
equals. and perhaps his superiors, and as a
mere fighter there are snme who may excel
him. But in the qualities Of commander,
entrusted with the duty of planning and
executing a campaign upon a broad scale,
and with the direction and government of a
large army, whether scattered over wide
extent ot territory, or massed together as
at Richmond, he surpasses them all, and il
the peer Of any living chieftain in the New
World Or the Old. The country should
feel grateful that Heaven has raised up one
10 our midst so worthy of our confidence
and so capable TO lead. The grandson ui
Washington, so to speak, let us hope that
| the mantle of he ascpnded hero has fallen
upnn the shoulders Of the wise and nndest
chief who now commands the army O
Northern Vlrglnia.
This sketch may be followed up by simi.
lar notices Of other officers. from tine ii
time. and as opportunity may offer.
Supplies of clothing and shoes for the
army continue 10 arrive here from the
warm-hearted people Of the South.
p. w. A.
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