Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1884-11-21
IDOLS OF THE ARMY.
!. l., LEE AND s.sTONEwALL" JACKSON.

The difference in the manner in which
Generals Il. +. Lee and Il. j. Jackson
were regarded by the Confederate army
OF Northern Virginia is one of the curious
features of the war. Both Generals were
recognized rs men OF genius, of piety, and
kiEdliness of heart; both were courteous
and dignfed in their intercourse with
others, although Jackson was very abrupt
ant curt in speech and action, and YET
they were looked upon and treated by the
troops in a directly contrary manner. For
General Lee the men had all explicit trust
and reverent affection that never faltered
from the time he took command OF the
army until they crowded around him in
the fearful silence TO bid him the last
farewell on the hill near AppOmattox
Court House, where the battle flags were
uufurlcd for the last time before being
piled upon the surrendered stacks OF
arms. TO tell the trIth, hc was half DEL
tied in the thoughts of his troops, and they
never doubted the issue of a campaign
under his leadership, not even in the be-
ginning of the campaign of 1860, when
defeat was pressing all other sections of
the Confedcracy. Had not "thc bottom
of the bucket so suddenly fallen out, it
is more than likely that dictatorship
would have been thrust upon him as u
ho 4. I,n mol mi N ~
numbers of the Fcdcrals.
General Lee was 4 iiue figure, wher
mounted on his irOn-gray horse, Traveller,
and even when on u hot and dusty march
looked always neat. Ills dress then was
simple gray sack coat, with the star OF Il
General on the turn-dowI collar, dark
slouch hat loOped upon the lett side, gray
parts and long riding boots. never saw
him with either sword or pistol buckled
on him. AS he rode along beside the
marching ranks at the head Of the stall,
he always had his hat pulled down over
his brow, with his chin lifted as if gazing
intently into the distance. lie was always
consideratc for the health and comfort OF
his men. One of the most provoking
things to a regiment of infantry on hot,
dusty and wcarisome march was Tor some
mountcu officers or mon to come dashing
along Kicking W more dust, or attempt
ing to make way along the road, which
the infantry always claimed as tlIelr right
of way. Some generals and their staff
INDUCED in this practice, but general Lee
never. lie always took to the fields.
Again, it was currently reported aid be-
lieved that when the army was in straits
for rations he utterly refused to make use
of the dclicacies which the farmers were
eager to send to send to his headquarters,
but ordered then. to be turned over TO the
field hospital. When occasion offered he
visited the sick and wounded, and many
a poor fellow was revived by his cheering
words and sympathy. All these things,
and others that might be enumerated, en-
deared him to his troops. On the march
the Generals presence among the col
umns was scarcely noticed except that
the tired limbs were braced up and the
spirits raised for further effort, but when
he passed along the roads leading among
the bivouacs and camps the men inyari-
ably crowded 10 the roadside and greeted
him with rcvcrent silence that was more
eloquent, perhaps, than the widest cheer
ing. lie was 10 doubt pleased and en-
couraged at this silent homage, yet he
always responded by sravely lifting his
hat without 4 change of countenance.
The writer never recollects TO have seen
General Lees face otherwise than serious
and preoccupied.
Two examples may be given TO show
tile estimation in which General Lee Was
he'd and to illustrate the belief that the
success of the cause was absolutely de-
pendent OH him. At the battle of Antie-
tam, late In the afternoon, General Buru-
side forced a passage of the bridge and
assailed ficrcely the Confederate line OIL
the ridge. This was before \. Z. Hills
division had come up from lIarper's
Ferry. Finally, the Eolcombc legion of
South CaroliEians, after fighting brayely,
gave way in confusion, leaving i danger
Gus gap i'm the lines, and the day seemed
about lost on the right. At this critical
iuncture, General Lee rode up TO them,
and, seizing their flag, shouted: "what!
my men, are you going to desert your
country in it, hour of peril? Come oil;
your General will lead you.,' The legion
rallied Immediately and reformed the
line, but refused to charge until General
Lee had retired. lie consented, and they
gamely plunged into the fight and held
their own until General 4. L. Hill came
up.
Again, 1T Spottsylvania court-iIousc
when Haneock's men had sw ept over tile
salient, capturing the entire division and
the guns of Gen. Edward -Johnston, aud
threatening to break the Confederate army
in two, aud when the battle seemed lost TO
the Confederates, General Lee, who ueyer
hesitated 10 expose himself at the point of
danger, dashed up TO Gen. j. B. Gordon's
division and announced his intention to
lead them personally TO the rescue. When