Wagons, tents, and some of the horses, were marked ‘U.S.,’ showing that part of that huge debt in the North has gone to furnishing even the Confederate generals with camp equipments.  No guard or sentries were to be seen in the vicinity; no crowd of aides-de-camp loitering about, making themselves agreeable to visitors, and endeavoring to save their generals from receiving those who had no particular business.  A large farm-house stands close by, which, in any other army, would have been the general’s residence pro tem., but, as no liberties are allowed to be taken with personal property in Lee’s army, he is particular in setting a good example himself.  His staff are crowded together, two or three in a tent; none are allowed to carry more baggage than a small box each, and his own kit is but very little larger.  Every one who approaches him does so with marked respect, although there is none of that bowing and flourishing of forage caps which occurs in the presence of European generals; and, while all honor him, and place implicit faith in his courage and ability, those with whom he is most intimate feel for him the affection of sons to a father.  Old General Scott was correct in saying that, when Lee joined the Southern cause, it was worth as much as the accession of twenty thousand men to the ‘rebels.’  Since then every injury that it was possible to inflict, the Northerners have heaped upon him.  Notwithstanding all these personal losses, however, when speaking of the Yankees, he neither evinced any bitterness of feeling, nor gave utterance to a single violent expression, but alluded to many of his former friends and companions among them in the kindest terms.  He spoke as a man proud of the victories won by his country, and confident of ultimate success, under the blessing of the Almighty, whom he glorified for past successes, and whose aid he invoked for all future operations.”

The writer adds that the troops “regarded him in the light of infallible love,” and had “a fixed and unshakable faith in all he did—­a calm confidence of victory when serving under him.”  The peculiarly interesting part of this foreign testimony, however, is that in which the writer speaks of General Lee’s religious sentiment, of his gratitude for past mercies, and prayers for the assistance of the Almighty in the hours of conflict still to come.  This point we shall return to, endeavoring to give it that prominence which it deserves.  At present we shall leave the subject of General Lee, in his private and personal character, and proceed to narrate the last campaign of the year 1862.

VIII.

LEE PASSES THE BLUE RIDGE

From the central frontier of his headquarters, near Winchester, the key of the lower Valley, General Lee was able to watch at once the line of the Potomac in his front, beyond which lay General McClellan’s army, and the gaps of the Blue Ridge on his right, through which it was possible for the enemy, by a rapid movement, to advance and attack his flank and rear.