This morning, before marching from Chambersburg, General
Longstreet introduced me to the Commander-in-Chief. General Lee is, almost
without exception, the handsomest man of his age I ever saw. He is fifty-six
years old, tall, broad-shouldered, very well made, well set up — a thorough
soldier in appearance; and his manners are most courteous and full of dignity.
He is a perfect gentleman in every respect. I imagine no man has so few
enemies, or is so universally esteemed. Throughout the South, all agree in
pronouncing him to be as near perfection as a man can be. He has none of the
small vices, such as smoking, drinking, chewing, or swearing, and his bitterest
enemy never accused him of any of the greater ones. He generally wears a well-worn
long grey jacket, a high black felt hat, and blue trousers tucked into his
Wellington boots. I never saw him carry arms ;* and the only mark of his
military rank are the three stars on his collar. He rides a handsome horse,
which is extremely well groomed. He himself is very neat in his dress and
person, and in the most arduous marches he always looks smart and clean.†
In the old army he was always considered one of its best
officers; and at the outbreak of these troubles, he was Lieutenant-Colonel of
the 2d cavalry. He was a rich man, but his fine estate was one of the first to
fall into the enemy's hands. I believe he has never slept in a house since he
has commanded the Virginian army, and he invariably declines all offers of
hospitality, for fear the person offering it may afterwards get into trouble
for having sheltered the Rebel General. The relations between him and
Longstreet are quite touching — they are almost always together. Longstreet's
corps complain of this sometimes, as they say that they seldom get a chance of
detached service, which falls to the lot of Ewell. It is impossible to please
Longstreet more than by praising Lee. I believe these two Generals to be as
little ambitious and as thoroughly unselfish as any men in the world. Both long
for a successful termination of the war, in order that they may retire into
obscurity. Stonewall Jackson (until his death the third in command of their
army) was just such another simple-minded servant of his country. It is
understood that General Lee is a religious man, though not so demonstrative in
that respect as Jackson; and, unlike his late brother in arms, he is a member
of the Church of England. His only faults, so far as I can learn, arise from
his excessive amiability.
Some Texan soldiers were sent this morning into Chambersburg
to destroy a number of barrels of excellent whisky, which could not be carried
away. This was a pretty good trial for their discipline, and they did think it
rather hard lines that the only time they had been allowed into the enemy's
town was for the purpose of destroying their beloved whisky. However, they did
their duty like good soldiers.
We marched six miles on the road towards Gettysburg, and
encamped at a village called (I think) Greenwood. I rode Lawley's old horse, he
and the Austrian using the doctor's ambulance. In the evening General
Longstreet told me that he had just received intelligence that Hooker had been
disrated, and that Meade was appointed in his place. Of course he knew both of
them in the old army, and he says that Meade is an honourable and respectable
man, though not, perhaps, so bold as Hooker.
I had a long talk with many officers about the approaching
battle, which evidently cannot now be delayed long, and will take place on this
road instead of in the direction of Harrisburg, as we had supposed. Ewell, who
has laid York as well as Carlisle under contribution, has been ordered to
reunite. Every one, of course, speaks with confidence. I remarked that it would
be a good thing for them if on this occasion they had cavalry to follow up the
broken infantry in the event of their succeeding in beating them. But to my
surprise they all spoke of their cavalry as not efficient for that purpose. In
fact, Stuart's men, though excellent at making raids, capturing waggons and
stores, and cutting off communications, seem to have no idea of charging
infantry under any circumstances. Unlike the cavalry with Bragg's army, they
wear swords, but seem to have little idea of using them — they hanker after
their carbines and revolvers. They constantly ride with their swords between
their left leg and the saddle, which has a very funny appearance; but their
horses are generally good, and they ride well. The infantry and artillery of
this army don't seem to respect the cavalry very much, and often jeer at them.
I was forced to abandon my horse here, as he was now lame in
three legs, besides having a very sore back.
_______________
* I never saw either Lee or Longstreet carry arms. A. P.
Hill generally wears a sword.
†
I observed this during the three days' fighting at Gettysburg, and in the
retreat afterwards, when every one else looked, and was, extremely dirty.
SOURCE: Sir Arthur James Lyon Fremantle, Three
Months in the Southern States: April-June, 1863, p. 253-7
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