Miles, I haven't studied the particulars of higher command appointments in the ANV to even form an opinion, but the experience of the 3rd Arkansas Regiment in the ANV is, I believe, an indication of the feeling that Virginians were just a tad bit more sophisticated than some of their neighbors.

When the 3rd Arkansas reported for duty at Lynchburg in July 1861, they were perceived as country bumpkins (and, God bless 'em, probably looked and acted that way). The authorities would only accept the regiment into the Provisional Army of the Confederate States on the condition that Virginians be appointed to certain command and key staff positions. So, Seth Barton Maxwell was appointed as lieutenant-colonel (to keep an eye on Col. Albert Rust, I guess), Thomas Middleton Semmes was appointed as regimental adjutant (they knew he could read and write), and the entire medical staff was replaced with Virginia surgeons. Then, they were not sent to the front until they had been drilled, drilled, and drilled some more by cadets from the Virginia Military Institute.

One Virginia newspaper claimed that the soldiers were allowed to enlist in the 3rd Arkansas only after killing a bear with a knife. We Arkies have always gotten bad press, even in those days. Another paper referred to them as "wild men" from the hills of Arkansas.

Anyway, with all that attention from the Virginians, the 3rd Arkansas went on to establish a sterling war record, and a reputation as the finest regiment Arkansas ever sent to the field.