Year: 1862




"P. W. A." in one Of his late letters from
Richmond, gives the following sketch of Gen
Lee:


The COnfederacy is fortunate in having such
q man as Gen Lee in its service. He is Still in
the prime and vigor of physical and intellectual 81
manhood, being about forty-fve years of age
he is SIX feet in height weighs shout one hun
dred and ninety pounds IS erect, well formed
and of imposing appearance has all its bright,
benignsnt black eyes, dark gray hair, and a
heavy gray beard He is exceedingly plain 10
his dress, and one looks at his costume in vain
for those insignia of rayk for which most Off
GERS show such a weakness He wears an unas-
suming black fsIs hat, with q narrow strip cf
gold lace around it. and plain brigadier's coat
with three stars on the collar. but without the
usual brsidiDg on the sleeves. He travels and
sleeps in an ambulance when the army is in
rsotion, and occupies tent when It is stationary,
and not the largest and best house in the neigh
borheod, as is the custom of some officers In
a few words he cares but little for appearance,
though one Of the hsndsomest men in the Con
federscY, and is content to take the same fare
his soldiers receive


In character and personal deportmsst he is
all that the most ardent patriot can desire
Grave and dignifed, he Is yet modest and pain
fully distrustful Of his own abilities The de-
scendsnt Of gallant officer of the elder revolu-
ton, the husband Of the granddaughter (by
adePtion) Of General Washington. the inheritor
of large estate, and the trusted leader Of
great and victorious army, he is, nevertheless,
accessible 10 the humblest and most ragged
soldiers in the ranks, courteous to his officers.
Just and kind to the citizen, and withal and
above all, a meek and humble Christian


During the time the army was IN Maryland
su officer Of high position in the country sug-
gested number of reasons to General Lee in
support of grave measure then under discus
sion Among others, he remarked to him that
he was trusted By his government, had the
hearts OF his soldiers and POSSESSED the entire
confidence Of his country, and that the army,
the government aud people relied implicitly
upon his patriotism and genius Tears rushed
to his eyes, and be exelsimed--'' D. not say
that-do not say that. I am sensible Of my
weakness, and such a responsibility as your re-
mark implies would crush me to the eaTth.' He
said in the same conversation that there was
nothing he SO much desired as peace aud inds-
pendence. All he had, and all he hoped for-all
that ambition could suggest or glory give-be
would freely surrender them al 20 step the flow
Of blood and secure freedom to the country. He
did not doubt that these blessings would ceme
in due season. but he " ed them now, and
would readily sacrifice eve. thought of personal
eSsiSAuI1eIlSAb u save tu6 NE OF even one sol
der


General Lee, though not possessing the first
order of intellect. IS endowed with rare judgment
and equsnimity, unering sagacity, great self
control, aud extraordinary powers of comOina
ton. Like Washington, he is wise man, and
good man, and possesses in an eminent de-
gree those qualities which are indispensable in
the great leader aud champion upon whom the
country rests its hopes of present success and
future independence. In simple intellect, there
are other officers in the service who are his
equals, aud perhaps his superiors, and as a mere
fighter, there are some who may excel him. But
in the qualities of commander, entrusted with
the duty of planning and executing campaign
upoa broad scale, and with the direction and
government of large army, whether scattered
over wide extent Of territory, OF massed to-
ge.her, as at Richmond, he surpanses them all,
and is the peer Of any living chisftaiu in the
New World or the old


The country should feel grateful that Heaven
has raised up one in our mi Est so worthy of our
confidence, and SO capable to lead. The grand
son of Washington, so to speak le! as hope that
the mantle of the ascending hero has fallen
upon the shoulders of the wise and modest chief
who now commands the army of Northern Viz
giniA.