The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1873-06-05
LEE.
EUROPEAN OPINIONS OF THE GREAT soUTH'
ERNER.

Gle on Lee Ill Tue EuluUuiSH ftcteo", INV ..
descriptive of an interview between Genera
Lee and Stonewall Jackson during the bat
tie of Chickahominy: ga few minutes more
and the gallant soldier himself appeared Oh
the scene and rode up to greet Lee
caeered by Longstreet's men, already veter
ans enough in war to understand what his
coming meant Nothing, it has been said
of this first meeting of these great soldiers
on the battle field could be in more striking
contrast than the appearance and manner OF
the two. Handsome in face and figure, finely
mounted, graceful rider, calm-visaged, and
carefully dressed, Lee presented the beau
ileal of the commander whose outward bear
iig captivates the soldiers eye. His famous
Lieutenant rode, apparently by choice, an Ill
groomed, raw-boned horse, and setso short
stirruped as to give his figure the most awk-
ward appearance. ArNold cadets cap, evi-
d,ntly relic of the college professorship he
had not long since left, was drawn down ever
his eyes. His coat was not only thread-bare;
bit ill-brushed yand his words we're jerked
out in short, abrupt sentences, between
which he sucked the lemon which was, as
usual, his sole refreshment during his days
work. Yet each already understood the
o.her, and valued him at his true worth
sThat's heavy FIRE down yonder," said
Lee, as the Federal gun opened in reply to
Jaekson's. "Can your men stand itE-
sThey can stand almost anything. They
can stand that" was the emphatic reply; and
after few words of order and explanation,
he left his chief to lead on the attack. This
was decisive, aided as it was by fresh ad-
vance of the troops before engaged. The
Federals. were turned, -oyermatched and
driven from their position, and before dark
the shattered remains of Porters Division
were crossing the Chickahominy in hasty ro'
treat. Lees first battle in fact, was as striking
a success and as well-earned, as any ofthe more
famous victories in after days which have been
so widely studied and so often extolled No
word henceforward from his Government OF
Ny want of confidence in his powers, or
Lar of his overceusion. From that hour ne
b,cams the most trusted, as we'll as the most
noted General of the Confederacy AS to
hls soldiery, his hardy bearing, free set.ex-
p,sure, and constant presence near their
ranks, completed the influence gained by
that power Of combining their force to -ad;
vantage, which they .instinctively felt with
out fully understanding From man to man
few ia stofy II the hour The sa6tle IN
fueacs of sympathy, which wins many hearts
for one, was never more rapidly exercised.
Like Napoleon, his troops soon learned to
believe. him equal to every emergency that
wor could bring. Like Hannibal he could
speak lightly and calmly at the. gravest mo-
mcnts, being then himself least grave:
Like Raglan, he preserved sweetness OF
temper that no person or circumstance could
rufie. Like Caesar, he mixed with the crowd
of soldiery freely, and never feared that his
position would be forgotten. Like Bllcher'
his one recognized fault was that which the
soldier readily forgives-a readiness to ex-
pose his life beyond the proper limits per-
mitted By modern war to the commander-ln-
chief. What wonder, then, if he thence
forward commanded an army In which each
man would have died for him; an army from
which his parting wrung tears more bitter
than any the fall Of their cause could extort;
an army which followed him, after three
wears Of glorious vicissitudcs, into private
life. without one. thought of further resist,
ance against the fate to which their adored
chief yielded without murmur"
The London Standard, in the course OF
an article upon this critique, pays the toll
lowing truthful and eloquent tribute to the
great captain. Itsays:
. Ii L.. fc.fupa aud homp IN the
war, by pilIage and wanton destruction he
was prescribed; he declined to draw ven
eeance on his State by taking part in her
p ,Iitics. The commander -in-c chiefofa national
ARMY condescended to the control OF mill
tlry school, and to life Of silence and oo,
s,urity. But all Southern eyes were liked
on him, and his influence was used to Keep
them calm and patient, and to attach them
t. the Union which had conquered and was
crushing them. Even while their wrongs
and miseries were wearing out his life he
checked every utterance Of resentment, every
expression of hope for future dellveranee
GWe are all Americans now lie woulo
allow no toaats to the Lost Cause, no honorS
70 the fallen banner He bore his burden
with.simple, unaffected, patient herolsm'
Other men may have approached him II
war and achievement; none capable OF deeds
like his ever rivalled him in endurance anc
submission under hopeless defeat. A Cat'
would have fallen on his sword a Brntu,
might have conspired; Hannibal endured
only in the hope of revenge and retrleva'
But General Lee not only endured opt sun
mitted, and that without suffering his coun
trv 10 entertain even the wish to renew tn
struggle. He had to endure e, for some wear T
wears. and then the release. The overwrougn
nerves suddenly gave way; he sank at one
from perfect self.possession and apparen
health into collapse and speechlessn,,ess, an
died as literally "of a broken heart as eve
despairing patriot or defeated sOldler-mo1 y
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