Page:Confederate Portraits.djvu/147

 p. G. T. BEAUREGARD m

may be remarked, was as rebellious with Lee as he was with Beauregard : " Brigadier-General Ripley is active, energetic, intelligent, ambitious, cunning, and fault-find- ing. He complains of every commanding officer he has served under, and has quarreled (or had difficulty) with almost every one of his immediately subordinate com- manders since his promotion to his present rank in 1 86 1. He obeys orders only so far as they suit his pur- pose, provided, by disobeying them, he does not incur the risk of a court martial, which, however, he does not much fear, trusting to his intelligence and ability to get clear of the consequences thereof." ^^

As to Beauregard's personal relations with officers and soldiers witnesses differ somewhat. J. E. Cooke says that he had the French habit of mingling freely with the soldiers, chatting with them, and Hghting his cigar at their camp-fires. ^^ Others describe his manner as distant, though courteous and kindly, and his aide. Major Cooke, writes me that the general was too reserved to have care- lessly familiar intercourse with those about him. There was nothing of Stuart's light jest and cordial laughter to make the men feel that their commander was as human as themselves.

Yet Beauregard's popularity was immense. That he should be worshiped in Louisiana was natural, and who would not forgive the Louisianian's remark: "Lee? Lee? Yes, I've heard Beauregard speak well of Lee." The universal enthusiasm that hailed the victor of Sum-

�� �