“Washingtonian dignity”
From the Richmond Daily Dispatch October 27, 1862:
Pictures of Southern Generals.
–The Columbus (Ga.)Times publishes from the pen of its army correspondent, the following pictures of three of our prominent Generals:
Gen. Lee has, I believe, won his way to everybody’s confidence. In appearance he is tall, portly, and commanding. His dress is usually a plain Brigadier’s uniform, a black felt hat, with the brim turned down, and he wears a short grizzled beard all round his face. He has much of the Washingtonian dignity about him, and is much respected by all with whom he is thrown. At Sharpsburg I saw him on the field during the heat of the action. He was surrounded by his staff and a perfect squadron of couriers. He was engaged in calmly viewing the storm of battle, and giving orders in a manner of cool reliance. Aids and couriers were hurrying to and from the right, left and centre, and the whole disposition of forces seemed under his perfect control.
“none can equal him in forcing a strong and well fortified position”
Gen. Longstreet is stout and fleshy, and of good height, and has a quiet, courageous look. He seems full of thought and of decision, and his face makes an agreeable impression alike on new and old acquaintances. He is characteristically a fighting man — none can equal him in forcing a strong and well fortified position, and Gen, Lee showed his appreciation of an old tried soldier, when he patted him on the shoulder after the late battle and said, “My old war horse!” In this engagement he was second in command of the army, and his old corps keenly felt the need of his able handling.
clown act on hold
I was surprised at Stonewall Jackson’s appearance. He has been described as a sort of clown. I never yet saw him riding with his knees drawn up like a monkey, and his head resting upon his breast. He has a first-rate face, and seems a plainly dressed Captain of Cavalry, with an unpretending Staff. His uniform is fine enough, certainly, for the hard life he leads. But the imagination is piqued, you know, by the absence of pretension, as “a King in gray clothes,”Stonewall don’t like to come about the army much. The boys keep him bareheaded all the time. When they begin to cheer him be usually pulls off his hat, spurs his fine horse, and runs through the howls which meet him at every step (for some five miles) as hard as he can go.
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Washingtonian dignity
