Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1864-04-12

his conversation. While walking home, Mr.. Benjamin
told that Mr.. Davis military instincts Still Predomi
mated and that his eager wish TO have joined the
army instead of being elected President.
During my travels many people have remarked 70 me
that Jefferson Davis in peculiar manner adapt
ed for his Office. His military ednoation at West Point
rendered him intimately acquainted with the higher
officers Of the afmy and his post of Secretary OF War
under the old Government brought officers OF all ranks
under his immediate personal knowledge and euperV
sion No man could have formed more accurate es-
innate OF their respective merits. This Is one OF the
reasons which gave the Confederates such immense
Start in the way of generals; for having formed his
opinion in regard to appointing officer Mr. Davis Is
always most determined 10 carry out his intention In
spite Of every obstacle. His services in the Mexican
war gave him the prestige Of brave man and good
soldier. His services statesman pointed him out
as the only man who, by his urfnchng determination
and administrative TALENT able to control the popu-
lar will. People speak of any misfortune happening
to bin as irrepsrab!e evil too dreadful 70 contem
plate.
LIEUT.. GIS. LosGsrREET
ia an Albanian; thick set, determined looking man,
As years old. He was an infantry Msjor In the old
army and no Y commands the First Corp, dArmee. he
il never far from Gen. Lee, who relies very much upon
his judgment By the soldiers he Is invariably spoken
Of as the 'best fighter in the whole army" While
speaking of entering upon the enemys SOIL he eaid
me that although it might be fair in just retaliation to
apply the torch, yet that doing would demoraze the
army and ruin It's excellent discipline. Private
property is therefore, to be respected. Gen. Long
str is generally particularly tacituIn man. but this
evfning he and had long talk about Texss where he
had been auartered when in the old army. Ia the
course of his CONVEX alton he said that Meade was
bonorable man, but not 80 bold perhaps, as Hooker
GEs.
Gen. Lee is, almost without exception, the hand
soonest nan of his age / ever saw. lie Is fty-six
years Old, tall broad-shoudered, very well made well
set up-a thorough soldier In appearance and his
manners most courteous aud full OF dignity. Hell
perfect gentleman in every respect. ! imagine no
maa has so few enemies or ia so universally esteemed
Throughout the South, all agree in pronouncng him to
be as near perfection as man can be. He has none
Of the small vices, such smoking, drinking, chewing
or swearing, and his tterest enemy accused
him Of any Of the greater ones. He generally wears
a we-worn long gray jacket high black felt bat,
and blue trousers tucked into hi3 Wellington boots
never him carry arms; and the only mark Of his
military rank the three stars his collar. He rides
handsome horse, which IL extremely we'll groomed-
He himself Is very neat in hs dress and person. and
in the most arduous MARCHES he always looks smart
and clean.
Ia the old army he was always considered one of the
best officers and at the outbreak of thes, troubles he
was Lieut.-Coonel OF the Second Cavalry. He a
rich man. but his fine estate Of the first to fall
into the enemys hands, believe he has never slept in
house since he has commanded the Virginia army,
aud he invariably declines all oilers Of hospitality, Tor
fear the person Offering It may afterwards get ino
trouble for having sheltered the Rebel General The
relations between him and Longstreet quite touch
ing-they are almost always together. Longstreets
corps complain of this sometimes they say that they
SELDOM get chance of detached service, which falls to
the lot Of Ewel.
1t is impossible TO please Long'treet than by
pra sing Lee. bsleve these two Generals to be as
little amb ous aud thoroughly unselfsh any meo
in the world Both lopg for successful termination
of the war 10 order that they may retire into obscury
stonewa Jackson until his death the third in command
of the amy was jus. such another simple minded
servant Of bis country. l. is understood that Gen. Lee
ia religious man, though not demonstrstive In that
! respect as Jackson and, unlike his la,e brother in
arms, lie is member Of the Church Of England His
only faults far learn, arise from his eIces
siYa AmiabilitY.