American Historical Ephemera and Early Photography

[CIIVL WAR]. STUART, J.E.B. (1833-1864). Autograph letter from Stuart to his cousin Nannie Price. "Camp near Orange C. H." 13 November 1863.

8 pages, on bifolium, 5 1/8 x 8 1/8 in., creased along folds, with some separations, occasional spotting.

A letter written in Stuart's hand from which his signature has been deliberately clipped (not included here).

Stuart writes to his cousin of a grand review that took place recently, in which he rode the horse he calls "Lily of the Valley." She was a black thoroughbred mare given to him by Major James Thomas Watt Hariston, but ultimately judged to be too light for Stuart.

Of recent battlefield events, Stuart writes: "We have had some bad luck on the Rappahannock recently. It was however no surprise, as the attack was made just at dark, while the advance was known at 1 or 2 o'clock P.M. I think it happened because our men did not dream that the Yankees had enterprise enough for a night attack. It will make our men fight better in the next battle - which present appearances indicate will take place in a week or ten days."

Despite the recent "bad luck," his positive outlook is reinforced by good leadership in the mounted services. He writes: "The cavalry is flourishing. Col Bradley Johnston now near Hanover Junction is a friend of mine, and Capt Dorsey the 2nd [indecipherable] Md cavalry I can recommend, in fact that is a fine body of cavalry and I hope you will find many agreeable acquaintances in it." Captain Gustavius Warfield Dorsey (1841-1911) was a cavalry commander from Maryland who would be with Stuart during the fateful Battle of Yellow Tavern. He would catch Stuart in his arms and send him to safety in the rear of lines after the fatal bullet pierced Stuart's stomach, just six months after Stuart penned this letter.

In an interesting aside, Stuart refers to the substitution system by which a man could avoid service in the army by finding a substitute to take his place. He writes of a mutual acquaintance or relation, informing his cousin that, "Young Winston's substitute deserted - he will have to return."

Of recent promotions, Stuart reports, "Rossea, Young & Gordon are now Brigadiers also Lomax."

In an prescient request near the end of his letter, Stuart asks his cousin to send him some of her hair as a protective token, writing, "How I would like to see you with your hair long again. Do send me a dear little lock for my helmet, as a charm to turn bullets." Whether he received the lock of hair or not, nothing protected him from the fatal gunshot wound he would sustain at Richmond in about six months.