In my opinion, these two answers provide a direct characterization in the best manner:
1. Endowed with common sense, as a massive and hard as blocks of granite,
2. On the score of delicacy or any scrupulousness which a finer sensibility might have taught him, the Colonel, like most of his breed and generation, was impenetrable.
Explanation:
"Endowed with reasonable, as huge and onerous as blocks of granite, mounted along by stern rigidity of purpose, like iron clamps, he followed out his original style, most likely while not such a lot as imagining an objection thereto. On the score of delicacy, or any scrupulousness that a finer sensibility may need educated him, the commissioned military officer, like most of his breed and generation, was impenetrable."
This half provides direct characterization.
Direct characterization is wherever the talker tells the reader concerning the character. The talker specifically told the readers the traits of the commissioned military officer. Traits like invested with sense, as huge and hard, The commissioned military officer was impenetrable.
