The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1865-12-21
PeEs and Enss Sketches.
From the New Orleans True Delt

Robert Il. Lee is probably one of the
handS0mest and most arist0cratic- I0okin :.
men Of this age. Iii rersnn he is tail
muscular and weli,proportioned. His
motions are marked with ease. grace and
! decision; his face beams with intelligence
and benlgnity, and there is something in
his eye which is mcst Winning at the same
time tnat 1t commands respect and rever.
ence. Guileless as a child; plain in his
dress; unOstentatious in his manners. there
still needs no second glance to dscover in
al man the wonderful energy and capac-
lty which upheld the tottcring fortunes of
the Confederacy upon its Atlantcan shoul-
ders for three long years. against the ef-
forts of the most powerful nation Of the
world. There is no character in antiquity
which can be instanced as the prototype
Of this great and good man In the fer
tl!lty OF bis resources; IN his isolation from
external supplies and reinloreemepts, the
unSwerying iortitude with which he stood
calm and hopeful against al odds. lie may
be llkcned TO the Roman General Sortor =
ius. cOoped up with a few adhcrents IN the
fastness of the Spanish serTaS, ana sue
cesstully bidding deiiane: t. TIE combined
legious of Rome, during a inng period OF
years. In Eis pure, unseii,h devotion.
his patience. his want of all ambition to
do his duty. III the modc>ty. prudence and
sagacity which have characterized his ca
reer, he yiel.s to meme; or, if to any, to
Washington alone
1t seems strange that. although erery>
bodys attention in America and Europe.
too. has rivited, during ne past four years
upon the man and his actions, the real
martial character Of General Lee, is but
lttle understop or appreciated. Most
people believe lie Was Il cautious and de-
icsive commander. skillfui in checking or
foling an invading army, aud satisfied
with holding his own poSition-in one
word. that he WAS merely consuma;c
engineer, without the vehement enter
prise ofa Napoleon or Frederick. There
was never greater mistake; no officer in
the Confederate armies was more strongly
imbUcd with an aggressive AMI pm .naciuus
nature What restrained him from dis
playing this characteristic was the control
exercised over military operations By the
evil authorities IN Richmond. together
with the defective means OF transporta-
tion for basgage, artillery AMI supplies,
,eath his ciIm exterior there was
fiery spirit, which chaied at tie inactivity
TO which he was com )c!cd. or the advan>
taees he had to torcgo-frr his eagle
giance caught, as by inspiration all the
fortunes ana fluctuations OF Il heavy fight
In battle, General Lee was as serene
aud imperturable as in church; Wherever
,iuty seemed to call him he would ride
rapidly. but quietly, never stunning or
seeking observation. General Long
street, just after the battle Of Chickamau
"a, had quite a spicy conversation with
the President Of the Cunttlcracv. in re-
gard to matters in controversy between
himself (Lonys:rect) and General Bragg
Mr. Davis said the General with uuu-
sual warmth, 81 have had the honor on
many DECISIONS. while under heavy fire. to
bc consult ii by General j.ct. but [ never
saw him finch. On one occasion. par
ticularly. | remember the firing WAS so
hot that the men in the ranks cried out to
uo iVi N'Vi StNt ~ NiiuNi tth bCtftt NC
were killed; bat General Lee placidly
his remarks. aud, when he was
through, saluted aai rode leisurcly away.
as if no shells or bullets were wh:z&ing
around
During Lees famous march into Penn
sylvania, the army passed through large
town in that State, the people of which
were peculiarly hostile and demonsra-
tive toward the Confelerates, some Of the
women Haunting Union flags in the faces
Of the dusty and taltered veterans. As
General Lee rode slowly by. he WAS recog
nized. either from the reverence paid hm
by the men in the ranks. or 10y the dis
tnction OF his air, and was turned upon
with All the virulence OF female spite and
hatred. "lloary traitor. wretchcd rebel,
were among the terms flung at him The
chivatr"us old man checked mis- horse,
raised his cap, and mildly salutel the
with a pleasant smile upon his
face.
This Simp'e act Of courtesy rctuked his
assailants into silence and as he rode on
one Of the youngest and handsomest cried
out in her veXaiion, "Oh, don't you wish
he was on eur side.