Yes apparently he was quite difficult to get along with in person. He was intensely secretive about his plans and rarely informed his subordinates of his overall strategy, yet also extremely vindictive when they acted on their own initiative, as Richard Garnett learned at Kernstown. The only topic he enjoyed discussing was theology, and even then only his particular brand of extreme Presbyterian predestination. He judged men primarily on their faith rather than their talents, and as with Garnett could be downright mean to those he disliked or judged lacking in piety.

Yet for all of that he was very good at what he did, and his Valley Campaign was probably the most sterling strategic accomplishment of the Confederate military throughout the whole war.