The Camden confederate. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1861-1865, 1864-04-20
Southern Generals Described by
an Englishman. .

SOuIneru UeueralS DeSCT1Ueo ny
an Englishman. =
| One of the latest works on the war il
entitled "Three Months in the Southern
States-by 1t. Col. FreemaDtle, Cold
stream Guards" The New York Nc1cs
makes the following extracts from the
book:
GENERAL LEE.
General Lee is, almost without excep.
ton, the handsomest man of his age ]
ever saw. He is fifty six years old, tall,
broad. .shQuldered, very well made, well
set up-a thorough soldier in appearance;
and his manners are most courteous and
full of dignity. He is perfect gentle
man in every respect. l imagine no man
has so few enemies, or is SO universally
esteemed. Throughout the South, all
agree in pronouncing him to be as near
perfection as a man can be. He has none
of the small vices, such as smoking,
drinking, chewing or swearing, and his
bitterest enemy never accused. him of any
of the greater ones, He generally wears
a we'll worn long gray jacket, a high black
felt hat, and blue trowsers tucked into
his Wellington boots. [ never saw him
carry arms and the only mark of his
military rank are the three stars under
his collar. He rides handsome horse,
which, is extremely well groomed. He
himself is very neat in his dress and per-
son, and in the most arduous marches he
always looks smart and clean.
In the old army he was always consid-
cred one of the best officers; apd at the
outbreak of these troubles he was Lieut..
Colonel ofths Second Cavalry. He was
a rich man, but his fine estate vas one Of
the first to fall iuto the enemy's hands.
l believe he has never slept in house
since he has commanded the army of
Virginia, and he Invariably declines all
offers of hospitality, for fear the person
offering it may afterward get into trouble
for having sheltered the rebel General.
The relations between him and Longstreet
are quite touching-thcy are almost al
ways together. Longstreet's corps COM
plain of this sometimes, as they say that
they seldom get chance of detached
service. which falls to the lot of EwelL
1t is impossible to please. Longstrect
more than by praisiug Lee: I believe
the two Generals to be as little ambi-
tic, md as thoroughly unselfsh as any
mel the world. Both long for a sue.
ccssful termination of the war, in order
that they may retire into obscurity.
Stonewall jackson (until his death the
third in command Of their army wasjust
such q simple minded servant of his coun-
try 1t is understood that Gen Lee isa
religious man, though not so demonstra'
tive in that respect as Jackson and,
unlike his late brother in arms, be is a
member of the Church of England. His
only faults, so far as 1 can learn, arise
from his excessive amiabitity.
GENERAL JOSEPH E. JOHNSON,
in appearance, is rather below the middle
height, spare, soldier-like, and we'll set up;
his features are good, and he has lately
taken to wear a grayish beard. He is a
Virginian by birth, and 81 years old. He
talks in a calm, deliberate, and confident
manner; to ME he was extremely affable,
but Le certainly possesses the power of
keeping people at a distance when he
chooses, and his officers evidently stand
in great awe of him. lie has undoubt-
cdly acquired the entire confidence of al!
the officers and soldiers under him.
Many of the officers told me they did not
consider him inferior to Lee or any one
else. Gen. Johnston is very well read
man, and agreeable to converse with. He
told me that he considered Marlborough
greater General than, Wellington. All
Americans have an intense admiration
for Napoleon; and they seldom scruple
to express their regret that he was beaten
| at Waterloo.
Remarking upon the extreme prcva-
lencc of military titles, Gen. Johnston
said, "you must be astonished to find
how fond all Americans are Of titles,
though they are republicans, aud, as they
can't get any other sort they all take
military ones" While seated around
the camp fire, an officer remarked to me,
81 can assure you, Colonel; that nine men
out of ten in the South would sooner be.
come subjects Of Queen Victoria than re-
turn to the Union" "Nine out Of ten =
said General Johnston, "ninety-nlne out