One of General Lee's predecessors was General Pierre Gustav Toutant Beauregard.

because it lives in the ground

Confederate General Beauregard submitted a plan to General Lee that would weaken the Union position in Virginia in May of 1864. He believed that if Lee took a position to the Chickahominy River, Beauregard would use 15,000 men, unite with General Breckinridge and with a force of 20,000 troops attack Grant's flank. This would surprise Grant but it meant that it had to be done quickly as Beauregard would have to bring his forces back to contain Union General Butler who posed a threat to Richmond. Lee believed it was too risky and put that idea aside.

The Confederate general was P.G.T. Beauregard, who was Pierre Gustav Toutant Beauregard (1818-1893)

CSS General Beauregard was created in 1862-04.