Gen. Leonidas Polk

"We had quite a grand review to day, the "Bishop" [Gen Leonidas Polk] was the reviewing officer accompanied by Gen [Nathan] Forrest. Gen [John] Adams being short of staff officer, or at least having none who knew any thing about their duties, requested me to act as his Chief of Staff, and the Colonel of my regiment being present, I consented, and by that means got an introduction to Gen Polk and had a better opportunity to measure him in my mind, an operation which you doubtless think I am quite fond of but seldom reporting as favorably as a good patriot wish.  I think the parson decidedly predominates over the General in the Bishop's appearance and manner. He wore a rather rusty looking uniform, made no attempt at display in dress, and had none of those ' deadheads' around him, known as Staff officers or volunteer aids; I like him very much on that account.  In person I think the Bishop is at least six feet in height, large portly, and as straight as an arrow, has the appearance of a man who loved good living before the war and would have no objection to it now if he could get it, he has a good head, rather too round, covered with grey hair, a good face with a full beard closely trimmed, a big mouth with a few dirty teeth in front, weighs about two hundred pounds, now you have the impression the Bishop's personality left upon my mind..." "I think him a good man and a true one, but can not by any means think him a pre-eminent man, I can not think him such as man as [Joseph E.] Johnston...."

On February 2nd 1864, Roher again writes:
 

"But I set out to tell you some thing about Gen [William W.] Loring, old 'Blizzard' as the Boys call him, they call him thus because he always wants the artillery men to give the yankees a Blizzard when they come in the way. I do not know whether he means by that case shot, Canister or what, and I do not think the artillerists knows, but they always shoot some thing.  Old Blizzard is a non-de-script--I will commence with his horse, a good horse now is held to be of more value than any man under the rank of general, he rides a very fine horse, a roan horse. The next important thing about the General is his gold Sash, the history of the Sash seems to be about this--It is a yankee Sash. presented by the State of Ohio to Gen McCook, and captured in western Virginia by Gen Loring, it is the finest think I ever saw, it passes around the General's waist and over his shoulder, seems to be about three inches in width, it is a kind of golden cloth, something like gold lace.  The General has lost his left arm at the shoulder, but is otherwise a stout vigorous man, about 5 ft 11 in. in height, heavy built, he has a high bald forehead, the upper part of the forehead projecting very much, his hair has been black but what little is left of it begins to show gray a little, he combs it all back, and allows it to grow very long for a soldier, it hangs down the back of his neck to ringlets --this makes some call him 'Old ringlets;' his eyes are sunken; what phrenologist would call his perceptive faculties are poorly developed, he keeps his face smooth shaved. In times of danger and excitement he roars and chafes like a lion, his roaring consists in rolling out great big oaths, when he finds his artillery or wagons stalled., he curses them out of the mire by main force, at such time his power seems magical it almost seems he can curse a cannon up hill with out horses. His anger is terrible, and his power of vituperative language almost inconceivable, he would certainly have made a fearful antagonist in debate...." "...Upon his generalship I am not prepared to say much. I saw some thing of him in Western Virginia and have seen some thing of him here, he has generally been successful. It is said that he was engaged to be married to a very beautiful young lady, living near Port Gibson, who died a few weeks ago. I will write again soon and give you some account of the Brigadiers."

Gen. William W. Loring

From camp near Demopolis, Alabama, on March 23d, Roher writes to his cousin after a grand review has taken place. 
 

"....Next came John Adam's Brigade commanded by Col [Arthur E.] Reynolds, John being on a visit to his family. Col Reynolds is one of the largest men in the army, a fine looking and intelligent man, a lawyer, and a politician though not much of a military man, he is about forty five years of age, gray hair, eyes and beard. This is a fine brigade, large and composed entirely of Mississippians.  Gen French's Division came next commanded by Gen [Samuel G] French, he is an unpretending man not considered of much ability, has a fine black eye, he has none of the swell about him that distinguishes some of the other Generals. FIrst in his Division, is Ectors Brigade, composed of wild Texas and Arkansas boys, they are good in a fight but are wild and reckless and trouble-some, hard to manage. Gen [Mathew D.] Ector is a fine man, about thirty five or forty years of age, Short and heavy, dark hair and eyes..."

Private Phillip Daingerfield Stephenson, 5th Company, Washington Artillery, Army of Tennessee C.S.A., outside of Atlanta in July of 1864, writes of his impression of General W.H.T. Walker:
 

Gen. W.H.T. Walker

"We passed close to Walker himself, "Fighting Billy" as he was called, a hero of the Mexican War. One of the thinnest men I ever saw. Imagine a fence rail dressed in a complete uniform, closely buttoned up warm as it was, topped by a long pale face, almost hidden, however, by a bushy black beard, and above all a huge black felt hat with a big black feather curling around it. I saw him 'full front' as we went by and there seemed hardly space enough on his attenuated body for the double row of buttons on his generals' uniform coat. Long and tall as he looked, as he sat on his horse, straight as a ram rod, evidently waiting with his staff around him to '"go in." And he "went in," he and his men shortly after we passed and he was shot dead in the charge they made."

Stephenson talks of General Hood when he and his fellow soldiers discover that Hood is to replace their beloved commander, General Joseph E. Johnston: 
 

"Hood's personal appearance was commanding and striking. He was over six feet and of splendid proportions. His hair and beard were a light yellow and worn long. The eyes were large and bold, but of a singular light grey. The general effect of his presence was impressive. While riding his carriage was stiff, on account of his terrible wounds, but still it was firm. He usually wore an "undress uniform," but was always scrupulously neat and even elegant in attire. The one or two months of camp life prior to the commencement of the Dalton Campaign added to the popularity of Hood--easily approached, of frank, open demeanor and lenient rule, of great tawny beard and big bold blue eyes and herculean frame he looked like a gigantic old Saxon chieftain come to life again. He won the hearts of all men right and left. Even Hardee, our old stand by, the Old Reliable of the army, was for the moment overshadowed. Indeed, Hood for a time, was looked upon by the men as Johnston's ablest officer. It shows how prone we are to take up with new idols."

Gen. John Bell Hood

Indulging in weighing the alternatives to General Hood, Stephenson considers Lt. General Alexander P. "Old Straight" Stewart: 
 

Gen. A. P. Stewart

"Lt. Gen. Alex P. Stewart had been with the Army of Tennessee from its first organization, and may be said to have grown with it, and developed both as to experience and efficiency. His promotion was steady and every time deserved. Indeed, Stewart, I was used to, from the start at Columbus, as with Cheatham. Although never regarded by the men as having the qualities of greatness, we yet felt that he was a man growing before our eyes. He never seemed to make a mistake! painstaking, obedient to orders, cool and courageous, that was Stewart. As a man he was dignified but considerate of his men, as we like him, gave him both our esteem and confidence. His high Christian character commanded our respect. His greatest peculiarity as a soldier was, perhaps, his imperturbable temper. Nothing could startle Stewart. In battle, and defeat especially, this trait became heroism. By no sign did he ever give evidence of excitement, uneasiness, confusion, anxiety. To look at his calm tranquil face in time of peril or doubt was to get inspiration, regain confidence and courage.

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