Personally, the commander-in-chief was also, by this time, extremely popular.  He did not mingle with the troops to any great extent, nor often relax the air of dignity, somewhat tinged with reserve, which was natural with him.  This reserve, however, never amounted to stiffness or “official” coolness.  On the contrary, Lee was markedly free from the chill demeanor of the martinet, and had become greatly endeared to the men by the unmistakable evidences which he had given them of his honesty, sincerity, and kindly feeling for them.  It cannot, indeed, be said that he sustained the same relation toward the troops as General Jackson.  For the latter illustrious soldier, the men had a species of familiar affection, the result, in a great degree, of the informal and often eccentric demeanor of the individual.  There was little or nothing in Jackson to indicate that he was an officer holding important command.  He was without reserve, and exhibited none of that formal courtesy which characterized Lee.  His manners, on the contrary, were quite informal, familiar, and conciliated in return a familiar regard.  We repeat the word familiar as conveying precisely the idea intended to be expressed.  It indicated the difference between these two great soldiers in their outward appearance.  Lee retained about him, upon all occasions, more or less of the commander-in-chief, passing before the troops on an excellent and well-groomed horse, his figure erect and graceful in the saddle, for he was one of the best riders in the army; his demeanor grave and thoughtful; his whole bearing that of a man intrusted with great responsibilities and the general care of the whole army.  Jackson’s personal appearance and air were very different.  His dress was generally dingy:  a faded cadet-cap tilted over his eyes, causing him to raise his chin into the air; his stirrups were apt to be too short, and his knees were thus elevated ungracefully, and he would amble along on his rawboned horse with a singularly absent-minded expression of countenance, raising, from time to time, his right hand and slapping his knee.  This brief outline of the two commanders will serve to show the difference between them personally, and it must be added that Jackson’s eccentric bearing was the source, in some degree, of his popularity.  The men admired him immensely for his great military ability, and his odd ways procured for him that familiar liking to which we have alluded.

It is not intended, however, in these observations to convey the idea that General Lee was regarded as a stiff and unapproachable personage of whom the private soldiers stood in awe.  Such a statement would not express the truth.  Lee was perfectly approachable, and no instance is upon record, or ever came to the knowledge of the present writer, in which he repelled the approach of his men, or received the humblest of them with any thing but kindness.  He was naturally simple and kind, with great gentleness and patience;