Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1898-02-15
Lee a,,d Jaekso, oo,.trasted.

andria on General Lees birthday an
niversary, but append his contrast of
Lee and Stonewall jackson:
Much is often to be learned by con-
trasts, and it does not necessarily fol-
low that the contrast of two men is in
furious to either. The strong points of
each may sometimes be brought out
and made the clearer. 1t seems to me
this is the effect of bringing, side by
side, the personality and the soldierly
qualities of Lee and jackson. There
is food for thought here. If we care.
fully read and study the history of the
building up of Virginia from James
town to the Revolution and reflect up
on what it all means, we can hardly fail
to recognize the fact that Lee, of our
day, was the elimination of the highest
type of cavalier who settled Eastern
Virginia, and jackson the most stall.
wart survival of the hardy and reso-
lutte Scotch-Irish element that began
to pour into the Valley of Virginia
about 1870. 1t is impossible that this
important historical and racial fact
should not demand our attention and
thoughtful study, and when it does aud
we give full consideration to it, we
will find easier to understand why Lee,
the Cavalier of Episcopaliap, and
jackson, the Scotch Irish Presbyterian,
working together harmoniousIy and
earnestly, with single thought and n
single purpose, welded their faithful
Cavalier aud Scotch-Irish followers in.
to that wonderful army of Northern
Virginia, (Which for four years." as
'Swinton says, carried the revolt upon
its bayonets, which, receiving terrible
blows, did not fail to give the like, and
which, vital in all its parts, died only
with its humiliation" Enough has
not been made of this fact, nor in the
philosophy of history has it received
the attention it deserves.
What singular contrast these two
men presented How entirely they diff
fer in everything, except in their mu.
tual warlike courage and aggressive
ness. General Lee was the highest
type of the partician in person and
bearing. OF ideal height and build
for soldier or citizen, with limbs as
rounded as woman, neither large nor
lean, small, shapely hands and feet, the
latter arched in instep like the neck of
thoroughbred and always well.shod,
model of neatness in dress, with a
carriage that combined dignity with
graceful ease, he was on horseback and
off the handsomest man 1 ever saw
Neither slow nor rapid in his move
ments, distinct of speech and always
clear of meaning, with a voice that
/ never lost its selfcontrol, there was
never lapse in the influence of his
presence.
General Jackson was the sturdiest
type of the American commoner-oi
the people. 1t is simply absurd to say
he was handsome man. Roughly
built, with large frame and little flesh,
large hands, with prominent knuckles,
large feet and ungainly walk, he was,
from holding pen to riding horse,
the awkwardest man in the army
His voice was gentle in parlor or camp,
where he talked little; quick and sharp
on the field of battle, where he rarely
talked at all, except to give orders.-
His small, blue eye was like a little
lake rejecting violets when in repose
in battle, as cold and cleaning as that
little lake when frozen and the vioIets
dead. Full of courtesy and infinite
politeness in his tent, modest to bash.
fulness in the presence of woman, he
would have arrested his grandmother
on the field Of battle if she had gone
wrong. Never laundering, he had lit
tie patience with those who did, and
was unjustly severe in his judgment of
them. So kindly of heart that it was
necessary for his staff to keep their
slightest indisposition from him, for
fear he would order them off duty, he
always seemed to me to be merciless on
the field of battle In all things he
was II mystery to those who knew him
most intimately, as well as to the
world.
General Lee seemed to be born for a
life of wealth and aristocratic influence
Stonewall jackson was built and con-
stituted to rough it. And yet there is
nothing more remarkable in military
history than their mutual admiration
and confidence in each other. jackson,
speaking of Lee, summed it up in his
curt way 81 would follow him blind
folded"
General Lee, and the common sol.
der alike, never had doubt of Jack.
son. Many officers of merit, with
stars on their collars. had grave doubts.