GENERAL J. E. B. STUART’S RIDE AROUND McCLELLAN’S ARMY—CHICKAHOMINY
RAID, JUNE 12-15, 1863
General J. E. B. Stuart was born on the 16th of February, 1833. At
the commencement of the war he had just passed his twenty-eighth
year. His father had been an officer in the War of 1812. He was born
in Patrick County, Virginia, a few miles away from the North Carolina
line. In his veins there was the richest mingling of Virginia’s best
blood. In 1850 he was appointed a cadet at West Point, and graduated
thirteenth in a class of forty-six. At West Point he was not a very
great scholar, but an extremely good soldier. He had a splendid
physique, and was popular wherever he went. In his early youth he had
hesitated between the law and war, and finally concluded to remain in
the army. He was commissioned as second lieutenant in 1854 and served
in Texas. He saw a great deal of active service in Indian warfare and
in the early part of 1861 was at Fort Lyon. On the 7th of May, 1861,
he reached Wytheville, Virginia. His resignation was accepted by the
War Department on that day and he offered his sword to his native
state. On the 10th of May he was made lieutenant colonel of infantry
and directed to report to Colonel T. J. Jackson. His commission was
from the State of Virginia. Sixty days later he was commissioned a
colonel of Confederate cavalry, and on the 24th of September was
made brigadier general, and on July 25th, 1862, major general.
General Stuart, in the summer and fall of 1861, was busy on outpost
duty, harassing the enemy and continually active. His operations were
not on any extended scale.
General Joseph E. Johnston had a very high opinion of General
Stuart. As early as August 10th, 1861, he had written to President
Davis: “He—Stuart—is a rare man, wonderfully endowed by nature with
the qualities necessary for light cavalry. If you had a brigade of
cavalry in this army, you could find no better brigadier general to
command.”
He took an important part in the Williamsburg campaign, at the Battle
of Williamsburg in May, 1862, and at Seven Pines on the 31st of
May and June 1st. It was impossible at the last engagement to use
cavalry, but Stuart, always anxious and ready for a fight, was only
too happy to go to the front, and became General Longstreet’s aide.
In March, 1862, McClellan had brought his Army of the Potomac up to
two hundred and twenty-two thousand men, and with these undertook to
capture Richmond. He concluded it was wisest to take Richmond from
the rear and recommended that his forces should be transferred to
Fortress Monroe and he should proceed from there in a northwesterly
direction.
The forces under General Joseph E. Johnson and later under General
Lee were widely scattered. Some of them were a hundred miles apart.
From the valleys of Virginia, and from Norfolk down through
Fredericksburg, great armies were advancing with Richmond as the
converging point. Stonewall Jackson had played havoc with McClellan’s
forces in the Shenandoah Valley, and had inaugurated and won a
campaign which brought him world-wide fame. In three months Jackson
had fought three battles and marched five hundred miles, a feat which
was almost unsurpassed in the history of military movements. He held
a large Federal force over in the Valley. This was at that period the
most important factor in the preservation of the armies of Joseph E.
Johnston.
On the 16th of May, advancing from Fortress Monroe, McClellan had
taken possession of Whitehouse, on the Pamunky River, and here
established his army and reached out to Seven Pines, within eight
miles of Richmond. It appeared now as if, with the large forces at
his command, McClellan would crush Johnston and reach the coveted
capital of the Confederacy. Camped east and northeast of Richmond,
in a position chosen by himself, and to the acquisition of which the
Confederates made little resistance, McClellan sat down to wait for
the forty thousand men McDowell was to bring through Fredericksburg
and unite with him in his present camp. The Confederates were roughly
handled by the Federals at Hanover Court House on the 27th of May,
and General Joseph E. Johnston looked anxiously toward McDowell at
Fredericksburg, only fifty-two miles away. He resolved, if possible,
to crush McClellan before McDowell could come to his assistance. On
the 31st of May the Battle of Seven Pines was fought. Brilliantly
designed by Johnston, he claimed that he only failed to destroy
McClellan by the neglect of his subordinates to march as directed.
General Johnston was wounded on the 31st of May and was succeeded
by General Gustavus W. Smith, who commanded for a few hours. At two
o’clock on the 1st of June, President Davis rode out upon the field
with General Robert E. Lee and turned over to him the command of the
Army of Northern Virginia, which he was to hold until the shadows
of national death overtook and overwhelmed Lee and his army at
Appomattox, on May 9th, 1865.
A large part of McClellan’s army was now south of the Chickahominy
River. It was extremely important to know the situation of his
forces. He was getting so near to Richmond that the situation had
become intensely critical.
General Lee sent for General Stuart and in a private interview
explained that he desired to have full information about the exact
location of McClellan’s army. On the 12th of June he despatched
Stuart, with twelve hundred of the best cavalry that the Army of
Northern Virginia could furnish, to ride round McClellan’s camps and
get full facts concerning their several locations and movements. His
ride on this errand is known as the “Chickahominy Raid.”
Stuart did not wait a moment but instantly undertook this perilous
task. Prior to this time no great cavalry raids had been made.
Wheeler had not been developed, and Morgan and Forrest had only short
forays to their credit. At this period Mosby had not appeared in the
Virginia campaigns which he was later to brighten with many wonderful
performances, but rode with Stuart as his chief scout, guide and
adviser, and no general ever had abler aid. Stuart and Mosby were
the same age, were men of like courage and dash, between them was
mutual admiration and affection, and each believed implicitly in the
genius of the other.
Stuart had been vigilant on outpost duty, but no one had conceived
so bold a move as to ride in the rear of a great army of more than
a hundred and twenty-five thousand men at a time when the rivers
crossing the road were filled with the June rise. Figuratively taking
his life in his hand he cut loose from all communication with his
allies, and began the circuit of the opposing army, which then stood
north and east of Richmond. It was a great work, requiring masterful
genius, superb skill, highest courage and transcendent faith in
his destiny. He was to make history in cavalry service, set new
standards and a new pace for horsemen in war. The original letter
which General Lee wrote to General Stuart is still in existence.
General Lee informed General Stuart that his purpose was to get exact
intelligence of the enemy’s forces and fortifications, to capture his
forage parties and commissary depots and as many guns and cattle as
it was possible to bring away with him, and to destroy, harass and
intimidate the wagon trains which were then supplying McClellan’s
army.
General Lee was not as full of confidence in Stuart’s ability then
as he was later. He cautioned Stuart about going too far, staying
too long, attempting too much. He looked deeper into the situation
than Stuart possibly could. Twenty-six years more of life and his
lengthened military experience made him cautious where Stuart would
be reckless. It was well for Stuart that he was only twenty-nine
years old. Had he been fifty, he would have hesitated long before
undertaking such hazardous work. Faced by such desperate odds, the
youthful blood coursing with unstinted forces through his veins,
and his ambition to wrest early from fame its highest rewards,
subordinated prudence and caution to the promptings of glory and
success, had faith that no odds could defeat his plans and that
misfortune was impossible where he should go, with the chivalrous
horsemen who would follow in his lead.
It was easy to see that the primal object in General Lee’s sending
Stuart was to definitely locate the right wing of McClellan’s army,
to know how far it extended east, and whether Jackson could be
brought in strong pressure upon it.
Justly Stuart was allowed to pick out his command. He had a section
of artillery. This was under Lieutenant James Breathed. Wisely
concluding that if you do not want anybody to know your plans, you
had better not communicate them, Stuart told few of his associate
commanders his destination. The general outlines of his expedition he
communicated to Fitzhugh Lee, W. H. F. Lee and W. T. Martin.
The first day’s march was not a heavy one, twenty-two miles due
north brought General Stuart to Taylorsville. Having demonstrated
that McClellan’s right had not been extended east of a line north
of Richmond, General Stuart now turned due east and in a short
while marched southeast. He was singularly blessed with scouts who
had a full and complete knowledge of the whole country. These had
been despatched in various directions. It was beyond all things
essential for him to have accurate information regarding the roads
he was to travel. He began his movements at early dawn. He had a
great work before him; he was to take a march of forty miles, the
safety of which depended upon the absolute watchfulness and the
unfailing vigilance of his troopers. The eye of every soldier scanned
the horizon. None knew aught of what was ahead. Any instant might
develop a cavalry or infantry force across their pathway which would
bar their progress. No baggage delayed their speed. Stale rations
prepared before leaving would stay hunger until they could pounce
down upon a Federal wagon train and take from their enemies the food
necessary to sustain them upon their strenuous ride. The best horses
had been provided for the artillery, so that it could keep pace with
the rapidly moving horsemen. A rider was mounted on each of the
animals attached to the guns. It was necessary to move with extreme
rapidity, and all the preparations were made so that nothing should
delay or hinder the march.
[Illustration: MAP OF STUART’S RIDE AROUND McCLELLAN]
A force of Federal cavalry was found near Hanover Court House.
Failure to attack would indicate fear, and so General Stuart ordered
a charge. Fitzhugh Lee had been sent south to intercept their retreat
toward McClellan’s army. The enemy moved south of the Tunstall
Station road, and Stuart concluded that if they would let him alone
he would let them alone. A captured sergeant from the 6th United
States Cavalry showed that this force had been in position at Hanover
Court House. He had no time to pursue those who did not pursue him,
and taking a southeast course, almost parallel with the Pamunky
River, he spurred his column to the highest possible speed. A Federal
force had been stationed at Old Church, which was on the line of
the road Stuart had determined to follow. Moving with such great
rapidity and with his presence not expected, Stuart had no reason to
believe that the enemy would be able to know his purpose, his plans
and his place. A couple of squadrons of the 5th United States Cavalry
were stationed at Old Church. A part of the duty of this command
was to scout north towards Hanover Court House. Observing Stuart’s
force, the lieutenant in command of one of these companies saw the
Confederate cavalry at eleven o’clock. As he had only one company
he estimated that the Confederates had with them two squadrons of
cavalry; he concluded that he was not able to fight Stuart and so he
withdrew and avoided a conflict. Reporting his observation to his
superior officers, he was directed to fall back upon the main body at
Old Church. Stuart was now ten miles north of the rear of McClellan’s
infantry. Numerous detachments of cavalry were scattered about.
It would not take long for couriers to tell the story of Stuart’s
presence and to estimate his forces. Lieutenant Lee, who was in
command of the 5th United States Cavalry, had now fallen back toward
the bridge at Totopotomy Creek, and he had resolved, even though his
command was small, to give Stuart battle and test out the strength
of the invader. The bridge across the creek was intact. There was
nothing to do but fight. Captain Royal, who was in command of the
squadron, aligned his forces to receive Stuart’s attack. Two of the
companies of the 9th Virginia were sent to drive these Federals
out of the way. The onset was quick and furious. Captain Latane,
of Company F, of the 9th Virginia, rode to the charge. Royal was
severely wounded by Latane’s sabre, and Latane was killed by Royal’s
revolver. The Federal line was broken and fell back. Discipline,
however, asserted itself, and although fleeing, they wheeled into
line to receive the second assault, and then Captain Royal left the
field to the Confederates. Quite a number of the 5th Cavalry were
captured, and there Fitzhugh Lee met many acquaintances, pleased to
come in contact with an officer under whom they had served, even if
he now wore the gray. These men conversed freely with General Lee,
who was anxious to capture as many of the regiment as possible. He
received permission to follow the enemy to Old Church and, if he
could do so, make the entire squadron prisoners. He captured the
camp, but the soldiers had fled.
At this time Stuart might have retraced his steps. There was nothing
to prevent his returning by the road over which he had passed.
Anxious to get the most out of the expedition that was in it,
although he had told Fitzhugh Lee to follow the enemy back up the
road over which he had advanced, Lee now saw Stuart turn and face
southward. A less brave man would have hesitated. Dangers awaited
him upon every mile. He was traveling southward and with this line
perils increased with every step of his trotting squadrons. For a
moment uncertainty filled his mind, but it was only a moment, and
then without an expression of fear on his face or the feeling of a
doubt in his heart, he bade the column quicken its pace and into the
uncertainty of immeasurable and incalculable hazard of a dangerous,
unknown path, he hurled his little army.
Stuart now knew that the right wing of McClellan’s army had not
extended as far west as General Robert E. Lee thought it had. It
was important that General Lee should have this information at the
earliest possible moment. One and a half days had been consumed
in coming. Should he go back, or should he make the circuit of
the Federal army, and endeavor to reach General Lee south of the
Chickahominy River? The rivers in front and to the east were
unfordable. He must go north to find an easy way to escape and he
knew that the Federal infantry, south of him, was within five miles
of the road along which he must operate to reach his starting point
at Richmond. He must, in the nature of the case, take the long road.
His attack on the 5th United States Cavalry had aroused the enemy and
his presence would be communicated quickly to the Federals. These
could hardly believe that such a small force could be so far from
home. The daring of such a movement was incredible at this period
of the war. Later, many horsemen on both sides would be glad—even
anxious—to engage in such an expedition. To General Stuart with any
considerable Confederate force belongs the credit of the inaugurating
such enterprises. Twenty-one days later General John H. Morgan
conceived and executed his first raid into Kentucky and with twelve
hundred men marched a thousand miles in territory occupied by his
foes. The example of these two brilliant and successful commanders
would soon find many to follow their lead, but to them belongs the
credit of having successfully demonstrated that possibility of
such campaigns and the practical safety of a cavalry force in such
expeditions.
A Federal lieutenant reported that he had seen infantry along
with the cavalry, that he thought he had counted as many as five
regiments. Some put it as high as seven regiments. The rumored
presence of infantry in their rear alarmed the Federals, who were
afraid that a large force had reached in behind them, and so certain
were the Federals of the presence of infantry that General Porter
directed General Cooke not to attack the cavalry. This indecision on
the part of the Federals gave Stuart the advantage of several hours.
If he could pass Tunstall Station, twelve miles away, he would have a
wide territory in which to operate, and in which the Federals would
find it difficult to ride him down. Fortune was extremely generous
and propitious. Numerous wagon trains were coming along the road
to Tunstall Station, carrying supplies to McClellan’s army. The
Pamunky River was the base from which supplies were transported to
McClellan. It was navigable for quite a distance from the Bay. Many
trains were destroyed, two large transports at Putney’s Ferry on the
Pamunky River were burned. The railroad from the Pamunky River to
the Chickahominy, under McClellan’s forces, had been repaired. At
White House, on the Pamunky, tremendous quantities of supplies had
been collected. This was only four miles from Tunstall Station. Some
gunboats and six hundred cavalry protected this depot. Stuart was now
only five or six miles from McClellan’s camp, and the cavalry and
infantry might be despatched at any time to close the path he had
chosen for a return to Richmond. The idea suggested itself to Stuart
that he capture White House. He could have done this, even with the
small force under him, but General Lee had told him he must not do
all that he might desire to do, and he refrained from attempting this
brilliant achievement. Cars, teams, sutlers’ stores, rations were
destroyed, telegraph lines were torn down, and from four o’clock in
the evening until darkness came on them, Stuart’s men were engaged
in the grim work of destruction. A company from New Kent County
composed part of the 3d Cavalry, and Stuart had the advantage of
having numbers of men in his command who knew every path and by-way
of the country through which they must later pass. This fact gave him
great faith to ride away in safety should Federal pressure become
too tense. Detachments were sent out in all directions to destroy
as many wagons as possible. The Chickahominy was full, but it had
fords. Eleven o’clock at night, and the last of Stuart’s men had not
left Tunstall Station. The Federal infantry in large numbers began
to arrive, and some Pennsylvania cavalry as well. General Stuart had
calculated that he would cross at a ford near Forge Bridge. This was
ten miles from Tunstall’s. A young lieutenant, who had most accurate
knowledge of the country, was confident the ford of which General
Stuart spoke would give a safe and easy passage over the river. Alas,
when the river was reached, new perplexities arose and new dangers
angrily stood out to thwart Stuart’s plans. The rains had been more
copious than the guides had predicted or believed. The waters, with
pitiless currents rushing oceanwards, seemed to forbid the passage
of the Chickahominy. The storms, which had raged two days before
higher up the stream, had widened the volumes of water, and to the
imagination of the wearied horsemen, these increased in width every
moment they stood upon its banks.
Colonel W. H. F. Lee was unwilling to surrender the possibility of
passing the stream at this point. Boldly entering the water and
swimming his horse he reached the other side. The waters were so
deep that the horses’ feet became entangled in the roots of trees
and prevented a landing. These difficulties raised new doubts and
gave warning that some other ford must be found, or means other than
swimming must be discovered for reaching the south bank. In this
dire extremity there was no hesitation or alarm and all the gallant
squadrons felt sure that fate, hitherto gracious and helpful, would,
in the crisis, come to their rescue. Only heroes could be calm and
cheerful under these dispiriting conditions. Axes were hunted up
and trees were cut down in the hope that a temporary bridge might
be made, but the swift current, catching up the trees, swept them
down the stream like playthings and made the labor of the horsemen a
useless waste of energy and time. In these moments, for a moment now
appeared hours, everybody seemed anxious except General Stuart. It
was important for General Lee to know what Stuart had found out, and
calling upon one of his most trusted followers, he repeated in detail
to him what he had learned and bade him ride with all haste and tell
General Lee the story, and ask that an advance be made on Charles
City, to relieve his command of the difficulties with which they
were surrounded.
Every mind was now moved to the most vigorous action. The imminence
of danger quickened thought, and to think must be to act. Someone
under the pressure of extreme peril remembered that an old bridge one
mile below had not been entirely destroyed. Hope of escape quickened
every step and with unreined and highest speed, the troopers
galloped to the site of the ruined structure. Bents, stripped of
girders, stood out above the angry, muddy waters, but even they in
their desolation and isolation gave but scant promise of escape.
Warehouses close by, with the long planks that enclosed their sides,
were stripped of their covering. Laid from bent to bent, they made a
passway over the stream, but they held out no means of crossing to
the weary steeds or offered no prospect to avoid a plunge into the
water. The tired beasts were unsaddled and lashed and driven down the
banks. Their masters, bearing their equipments on their own backs,
with loosened bridle reins, walked along the narrow plankway, while
the horses, with their feet beating the water, struggled in its
turgid currents in their efforts to cross to the opposite side.
While one part in ever-quickening haste thus convoyed their mounts
across, the other with renewed energies strengthened the floors
of the tottering bridge and added braces to the timbers, which,
under the pressure, trembled and swayed and bade the men beware
lest they make too great calls upon the weakened bents. Time, more
time, was now the call. If money could have enlarged minutes, every
soldier would have given all his possessions to win from Providence
another hour of freedom from pursuing foes. Stuart was not willing
to abandon his artillery. He had saved his cavalry, but he did not
want to give up his guns. Orders for tearing more planks from the
warehouse and hunting longer and heavier lumber were sternly and
earnestly issued. Officers pleaded with the men to rush, as they had
never rushed before. They took hold themselves. No rank stayed the
exercise of every man’s energies. With one-half of the command on
the south side and the other half on the north side, anxious eyes,
reinforced by brave yet questioning hearts, watched with intensest
eagerness the roads upon which pursuing Federals might come. Attack
now meant capture or disaster. There was no escape, east or west. The
remnant on the north side might, if assailed, ride through and over
the attacking lines, but the artillery could have no chance to run
away, and scattered troops, with their lines broken, would have but
slender opportunities of escape should they essay to ride back along
the roads they had so successfully and rapidly traversed the two days
before. Couriers, wires and scouts would hunt out and reveal the
lines of retreat and their presence. Even the bravest hearts could
evolve naught but disaster, if the Federal cavalry should now, when
they were divided, force them to give battle. Those on the south side
had forty miles between them and Richmond. To reach this goal they
must pass within a few miles of large numbers of McClellan’s army.
Whether the troops were on one side or the other of the Chickahominy,
the moment was full of forebodings and presented difficulties
calculated to make even the bravest of men fearful of what even an
instant might bring forth. Sharp eyes scanned the roads along which
the enemy might come. The crossway was quickly patched and completed,
and by one o’clock the artillery was sent over. Strong, vigilant rear
guards had been stationed some distance away from the bridge. Two or
three times the enemy made their appearance, but unwilling to show
the least sign of hesitation or doubt, these Federal forces were
vigorously attacked.
When the difficulties of the Chickahominy had been surmounted, Stuart
recognized that great tasks were yet before him. He was forty miles
from Richmond, two-thirds of the distance lay within Federal lines.
He must follow the course of the James. His enemies were between
the James and the Chickahominy. There was no other route for Stuart
to travel. His courage and his orders had brought him into the
extremities of the situation. A small force of infantry, properly
disposed, could cut off his escape, and he knew nothing of what his
enemies were doing to thwart his plans and encompass his ruin. If
he calculated the dangers or doubted his courage and skill to meet
all emergencies, he would be overwhelmed with fear and misgivings.
Great legions of difficulties rose up before his vision to disturb
the quietude of his valiant soul. With a wave of his hand and with
a peaceful smile upon his compressed lips, he bade fear begone. He
answered doubts and quieted them with the response that the men who
followed him never wavered at duty’s call, and forward he moved,
calm, serene, and with not a shadow of distrust or misgiving hovering
in his heart.
Having used the bridge themselves, the torch was applied with willing
hands by the grateful troopers. They might not abuse the bridge that
had carried them over, but they joyfully burned it lest it might bear
relentless enemies over to the side to which they had so fortunately
come by reason of its succor and help in the hour of desperation and
uncertainty. In the gloaming of the evening, turned into flames, the
blazing timbers, so lately a rescue, rose up as a great beacon light,
which lit up the surrounding country. If the Federals saw these
flames, they understood that the daring raider with his tireless
followers had escaped from Federal toils and was temporarily safe
from their assaults. A fordless stream now rolled between them and
the men they were pursuing.
From the highest point which he touched on Newfound River to the
lowest point touched on Queen’s Creek, a tributary of the James
River, was forty miles, and from Richmond to the farthest point east,
a short distance from Tunstall Station, was only twenty miles. From
Richmond to the main force of McClellan’s army was eight miles, and
from the Chickahominy to the Pamunky at Tunstall Station was twelve
miles. South of the Chickahominy, five miles, was the largest force
of the Federal army; north of it, at Cold Harbor, was another strong
division and then five miles east at Ellyson’s Mill was another large
infantry Federal force.
At Ellyson’s Mill, down the Chickahominy, to Cold Harbor, at Fair
Oaks, McClellan had infantry forces practically covering the entire
territory which Stuart must pass. He traveled around the Federal
army one hundred and thirty miles, and at no point of his whole
journey was he removed from some Federal force as much as five
miles. With his small command, at several places he was less than
eight miles from large infantry commands. The inexperience of the
Federal cavalry was one of Stuart’s chiefest aids in carrying out his
splendid conception of this brilliant march. Two years later it would
have been impossible even for Stuart, with his seasoned and trained
soldiers, to have made such a movement. Stuart had knowledge of the
men who would oppose him, and particularly of the cavalrymen who
would pursue him, and this made him calmer and more confident than he
would otherwise have been. No enemy came. The artillery was saved.
United on the south side of the stream, their delivery from such
imminent danger gave them renewed and enlarged confidence. They did
not know what was ahead. The past was a sure guarantee of the future.
Hitherto they had come in safety, and they confidently believed that
fate would still be kind and helpful. The very uncertainty of what
might at any moment appear to prevent their escape or impede their
progress made them brave and cheerful. They rode swiftly along the
road which might at any moment prove to be thronged with vigilant
foes. The close call at the river, their triumph over apparently
unsurmountable difficulties, made them complacent and contented.
They pitied their weary and hungry beasts, and took little account
of what privations they themselves had endured, or from what great
danger they had so fortunately been delivered. General Stuart might
now breathe easier, but he could not yet breathe freely. On the
James River, along the banks of which he must pass on his route to
Richmond, were Federal gunboats; and Hooker, from White Oak Swamps,
five miles from the only course that Stuart could follow, could
within a couple of hours, under forced marches, place infantry in
the front. There was no time for rest or food; a splendid exploit, a
magnificent expedition, was now nearing completion, and no appeal of
tired nature could find response in the heart of the gallant leader.
With marvelous genius he had brought his men out of difficulties that
seemed unsurmountable, and so riding and riding and riding through
the long hours of the night and the day, with ever-watchful eyes and
ever-increasing vigilance, he pursued his journey to reach the place
from which, four days before, he had set out upon what was then the
greatest cavalry expedition of the war. He had lost one soldier, but
he was a soldier worthy of any cause. Captain Latane’s burial by
lovely Southern women, with the assistance of a faithful slave, has
become one of the most pathetic incidents of the war. Aided only by
the faithful negro, to whom freedom had no charms when associated
with the abandonment of those he had served and loved, they dug a
grave, folded his pale, brave hands over his stilled heart, and
alone and without the protection of the men they loved, they read
the burial service for the dead and committed the dust of the young
patriot to the care of the God they truly and sincerely worshipped.
THE BURIAL OF CAPTAIN LATANE
A brother bore his body from the field
And gave it unto strangers’ hands, that closed
The calm blue eyes on earth forever closed,
And tenderly the slender limbs composed.
Strangers, yet sisters, who, with Mary’s love,
Sat by the open tomb, and weeping, looked above.
A little child strewed roses on his bier,
Pale roses, not more stainless than his soul,
Nor yet more fragrant than his life sincere,
That blossomed with good actions, brief but whole.
The aged matron and the faithful slave
Approached with reverent feet the hero’s lonely grave.
No man of God might say the burial rite
Above the rebel, thus declared the foe
That blanched before him in the deadly fight.
But woman’s voice, with accents soft and low,
Trembling with pity, touched with pathos—read
Over his hallowed dust the ritual of the dead.
“’Tis sown in weakness. It is raised in power.”
Softly the promise floated on the air,
While the low breathings of the sunset hour
Came back, responsive to the mourners’ prayer.
Gently they laid him underneath the sod
And left him with his fame, his country and his God.
Stuart had left behind him, even when pressed by his enemies, but
one artillery limber. From sunset until eleven o’clock at night
these fierce raiders and their harried steeds slept. Awakened at
midnight, by dawn they reached Richmond. General Stuart turned over
the command of the brigade to Colonel Fitzhugh Lee, near Charles
City, at sunset on the night of the 14th, and taking with him one
courier and a guide, he hastily rode to report to General Lee the
result of his expedition. Once during the night the wiry trooper
stopped to refresh himself with a cup of coffee. For twenty miles of
his journey he was liable at any turn in the road to meet Federal
scouts. The hours of the night were long. Stuart both in body and
mind had borne tremendous burdens on his great march, but he felt
more than repaid for all he had suffered and endured when, as the
sun rose over General Lee’s headquarters, with his two faithful
companions he dismounted to tell the great chieftain what he and his
men had accomplished. He had captured one hundred and sixty-five
prisoners and brought them out with him. He had captured two hundred
and sixty horses and mules, which he was enabled to turn over to
the quartermaster’s department. He had destroyed not less than
seventy-five wagons, two schooners and great quantities of forage,
and to the Federals more trains were lost than were in the possession
of the brigade quartermaster, at the front, with McClellan’s great
army.
This exploit gave General Stuart a leading place among Confederate
cavalry leaders, which he ably and fully sustained until the end so
sadly came to him at Yellow Tavern, almost to an hour, two years
later, in his desperate defense of Richmond from the approach of
Sheridan and his raiders. He deserved all the world said and thought
about him. His genius, his daring, his unfaltering courage, his
cheerfulness and calmness in danger stamped him as a military prodigy
and gave him a renown that would increase and brighten, as, month by
month, fate was yet to open for him the paths of true greatness.