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 before the Peninsular campaign. "From the hasty inter- ruption I concluded that my opinion had only been asked through polite recognition of my presence, not that it was wanted, and said no more." si xhe second time was in connection with the movements of Bragg and John- ston in the West and involved Lee as well as Longstreet. As described by the latter, it is a singularly impressive and characteristic incident. He had given his views in regard to the situation at some length, and assumes that Lee agreed with them. The President did not. " General Lee wore his beard full, but neatly trimmed. He pulled at it nervously, and more vigorously as time and silence grew, till his nervousness was conquered. The profound quiet of a minute or more seemed an hour. When he spoke, it was of other matters, but the air was troubled by his efTorts to surrender hopeful anticipations to the caprice of empirics. He rose to take leave of the august presence, gave his hand to the President, and bowed himself out of the council chamber. His assistant went through the same forms, and no one approached the door to offer parting courtesy." ^2 Even after this Long- street could not get the responsibility of the matter ofl his mind. On returning to the West, "it occurred to me to write to the President, and try to soften the asperities of the Richmond council. ... In reply the President sent a rebuke of my delay." ^^

The most significant element of all in Longstreet's Western campaign is his dealings with his own subordi-

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