The life and campaigns of Major-General J.E.B. Stuart, commander of the cavalry of the Army of Northern Virginia

Preface

I have written this work at intervals during the past five years of a very busy life, and I fear that t may have suffered from the want of consecutive thought and labor. I believe myself to have been actuated by a sincere desire to tell the truth, and to 3o simple justice to the memory of one under whom L feel it an honor to have served. If it shall prove chat I have failed to give due credit to the gallant men who fought on either side, it will be to me a source of lasting regret. I have not hesitated to give my personal testimony when it seemed necessary -

The story of Stuart's early life has been given to me by members of his family. The history of his campaigns has been compiled from the Official Eecords of both armies. I have not attempted a narrative of the Mine Run campaign, because it has not been convenient to obtain access to the Federal reports. The last chapter is, of necessity, somewhat personal in character, and is drawn largely from my own memory

I am greatly indebted to Colonel Robert N. Scott, who presides over the War Records Office in Washington, for copies of the official reports, and for many iv PREFACE.

facts not contained in the reports, which have been determined by special search among the archives. For similar valuable assistance I owe thanks to the Rev. J. William Jones, D. D., Secretary of the Southern Historical Society, Richmond, Va.

For kind and courteous attentions, and for valuable information, I am indebted to a number of officers of the Federal army, among whom I beg to mention General John S. Simonson, General D. McM. Gregg, General T. F. Rodenbough, General Wesley Merritt, General G. K. Warren, Colonel A. C. M. Pennington, Colonel William Brooke-Rawle, Colonel John F Nicholson, and Colonel W S. Newhall. Captain George N. Bliss, of Providence, R. I., whose enviable reputation as a member of the 1st Rhode Island Cavalry is well known, has been untiring in his efforts to secure for me information on several important points. I am also indebted to many of my comrades in arms, whose names are generally mentioned, in the text of the work, in connection with the data they have supplied. Hon. M. C. Butler, United States Senator from South Carolina, and Colonel W W Blackford and Major B. S. White, of General Stuart's staff, have given to me much of the material contained in the chapter on the Chambersburg raid.

To the Chief of Engineers United States Army I am indebted for the official maps of Gettysburg, Chancellorsville, the Wilderness, and other localities ; and to the Post Office Department, for maps of the postal routes in Pennsylvania and Maryland. From these and other reliable authorities, my maps have been

PREFACE. V

compiled by my brother, Carswell McClellan, civil engineer, formerly of the staff of Major-General A. A. Humphreys. The map of the Battle of Fredericksburg has been recently revised by its author, Colonel William W Blackford.

Chapter I. Ancestry, Boyhood, And Youth

Archibald Stuart, of Londonderry, Ireland. — Major Alexander Stuart. — Judge Alexander Stuart. — Honorable Archibald Stuart, of Patrick County, Va. — Giles Letcher. — Stephen Letcher. — William Letcher, of Patrick County, Va. — Elizabeth Letcher Pannill, wife of Archibald Stuart, and mother of J. E. B. Stuart. — Laurel Hill, the old homestead. — At Emory and Henry College. — Cadet at West Point

Chapter II. In Texas With The Mounted Riflemen

Letter from General John S. Simonson, formerly Major, commanding the Mounted Riflemen. — Letters from Stuart to " The Jeff ersonian," and to his brother. — Promoted as 2d Lieutenant and transferred to the 1st Cavalry. — Major Simonson's testimonial ... 10

Chapter III. Life On The Frontier

Regimental Quartermaster and Commissary at Fort Leavenworth. — Marriage to Miss Flora Cooke. — Promoted as 1st Lieutenant. — Battle of Solomon's Creek. — Stuart's Diary 19

Chapter IV. The John Brown Raid

Appointed aid to Colonel Robert E. Lee. — Letter to his mother narrating the capture of John Brown 28

Viii CONTENTS.

Chapter V. First Manassas; Dranesville

Resigns his commission in the United States army. — His commissions in the Confederate army. — The affair at Falling Waters.

— Captures a company of infantry. — The First Battle of Manassas. — General J. A. Early's narrative. — Charges of Colonel Radford's regiment. — Outpost duty at Mason's and Munson's hills.

— The affair at Lewinsville. — General Joseph E. Johnston's recommendation.— Organization of Stuart's brigade. — The Battle

of Dranesville 31

Chapter VI. Williamsburg; Seven Pines

Evacuation of Yorktown. — Stuart retires to Williamsburg by the river beach. — Wickham's fight on the Telegraph Road. — Seven Pines 47

Chapter VII. The Chickahominy Raid

General R. E. Lee's orders. — Skirmish at Totopotomoy Creek. — Fight with Captain Royall's command. — Death of Latane. — Capture of the Federal camp at Old Church. — Movements of the Federal cavalry and infantry. — Transports burned at Putney's Ferry. — Capture of wagon trains at Tunstall's Station. — March to Talleysville and Forge Bridge. — Unsuccessful attempt to cross the Chickahominy at Sycamore Springs. — Stuart rebuilds the bridge and crosses at Forge Bridge. — His ride from Charles City Court House to Richmond. — The results of the expedition.

— The burial of Latane. — Recommendations for promotion for gallantry on the expedition. — General R. E. Lee's congratulatory order 52

Chapter VIII. The Seven Days' Battles Around Richmond

Jackson's march to Beaver Dam Creek. — The Battle of Mechanicsville. — The Battle of Cold Harbor. — Attack on the gunboat Marblehead at the White House. — Reconnoissance by Colonel L. S. Baker on the Charles City Road. — Jackson at White Oak Swamp.

— Stuart at Evelington Heights. — Colonel W. H. Taylor's criticism 72

CONTENTS. ix

Chapter IX. The Second Manassas Campaign

Organization of Hampton's and Fitz Lee's brigades. — The Battle of Cedar Run. — Stuart's expedition to Massaponax Church. — Loses his hat and cloak at Verdiersville. — Fight of Robertson's brigade at Brandy Station. — Raid to Catlett's Station, and capture of Pope's baggage. — Munford captures Bristoe Station. — Capture of Manassas Junction. — Battle at Groveton. — The Horse Artillery participates. — Death of Major William Patrick. — Stuart uses artillery on the right flank. — Cavalry fight near the Lewis House. — Death of Captain J. Hardeman Stuart. — Pursuit of Pope's army. — Battle of Ox Hill. — Fight at Leesburg with Means' cavalry 86

Chapter X. The First Maryland Campaign

Stuart covers the front of the army in Maryland. — Munford's fight at Poolesville. — Fight at Monocacy Church. — Movements of the army to capture Harper's Ferry. — The Federal army advances on Frederick. — Hampton's fight at Frederick. — He retires through Middletown .— Munford is pressed back to Crapipton's Gap, and is relieved by Hampton's attack. — Critical situation of Lee's army. — The battle at Crampton's Gap.— Stuart at Maryland Heights. — Escape of the Federal cavalry from Harper's Ferry. — The fall of Harper's Ferry. — Stuart conveys the news to the army. — Fitz Lee's fight at Boonsboro'. — Narrow escape of Colonel W. H. F. Lee. — The Battle of Sharpsburg. — The scene after the battle. — The cavalry covers the withdrawal of the army. — Incident at the ford. — Attack by the -enemy at Boteler's Ford. — Stuart's demonstration at Williamsport . . . 110

Chapter XI. The Chambersburg Raid

The rendezvous at Darksville. — Stuart's address to his troops. — Crosses the Potomac at McCoy's Ferry. — Capture of the Signal Station at Fairview. — Advance to Mercersburg. — Incidents of the march. — Occupation of Chambersburg. — The strict order which was maintained among the Confederate troops. — Colonel A. K. McClure's description of the events of the night. — The march to Emmittsburg. — The movements of the Federal cavalry. — Incidents of the march from Emmittsburg to White's Ford. — Stuart holds Pleasonton at the Little Monocacy, while his cavalry crosses at White's Ford. — Incident at the ford. — Narrow

X CONTENTS.

escape of the rear-guard under Colonel M. C. Butler. — A remarkable march. — The results of the expedition. — Its effect upon the Federal cavalry. — The reasons of Stuart's success. — The dispositions of Stoneman's command. — The conduct of Lieutenant- Colonel Edwin It. Biles. — Stuart's visit to Urbanna 136

Chapter XII. From The Valley To Fredericksburg

Keconnoissance to Smithfield and Charlestown by Generals Humphreys and Hancock. — McClellan's army advances into Virginia. — Stuart crosses the mountains at Snicker's Gap. — Surprises the Federal picket at Mountsville. — Fight at Aldie with Bayard's cavalry. — Skirmish with Pleasonton near Philemont. — Battle at Philemont and Union. — The brilliant service of Pelham's artillery. — Reports of General Pleasonton, Colonel Hofman, and General Stuart. — Stuart retires to Upperville. — The fight at Upperville. — The fight at Markham's Station. — The fight at Barbee's Cross- Roads. — Colonel J. B. Gordon's report. — Stuart's reconnoissance to Amissville. — His tribute to the memory of Pelham. — Organization of the cavalry brigades. — The Federal army moves towards Fredericksburg. — Hampton's scout to Hartwood Church. — He captures two squadrons of the 3d Pennsylvania Cavalry. — Major T. Weller, 9th Virginia Cavalry, captures a picket near Port Royal. — Hampton's raid to Dumfries.

— Hampton's raid to Occoquan. — He captures a part of Sigel's train at the ferry. — The Battle of Fredericksburg. — Dispositions of the cavalry. — Letter of Lieutenant R. Channing Price, describing Stuart's movements. — Pelham's gallantry. — The Dumfries Raid. — The positions of the Federal troops. — Stuart divides his command into three columns. — The fight at Dumfries.

— The death of Captain J. N. Bullock, 5 th Virginia Cavalry. — Hampton attacks Occoquan. — Colonel Butler's narrow escape at Bacon Race Church. — The fight at Greenwood Church and at Selectman's Ford. — Stuart cuts the telegraph at Burke's Station.

— The affair at Fairfax Court House. — The return march . . 167

Chapter XIII. Kellysville

Fitz Lee's reconnoissance on the Falmouth road. — He attacks and defeats the Federal cavalry at Hartwood Church. — Extracts from the diary of Lieutenant-Colonel W. R. Carter, 3d Virginia Cavalrv.

— The Battle of Kellysville. — General Averell's orders, and the

dispositions of his command. — Severe fight at Kelly's Ford.

Lieutenant Brown, 1st Rhode Island Cavalry, forces the passage of the ford. — Fitz Lee advances to meet Averell. — He attacks

CONTENTS. Xi

Mm near the ford. — Charge of the 3d Virginia Cavalry. — The death of Pelham. — Unsuccessful attempt of the 3d and 5th Virginia Cavalry to drive the enemy from Wheatly's house. — Death of Major Puller, 5th Virginia Cavalry. — Charges of the 1st, 2d, and 4th Virginia Cavalry. — Major Cary Breckinridge is captured.

— Fitz Lee retires to Carter's Run. — Charge of the brigade in line of battle. — Dangerous situation of Fitz Lee's brigade. — Averell withdraws and recrosses the river. — The result of the battle. — Instances of personal gallantry. — Stuart is present but does not assume the command 203

Chapter XIV. Chancellorsville

The Federal cavalry under Stoneman. — Hooker's plans for the campaign of 1863. — Concentration of the Federal cavalry at Morrisville. — The small force under Stuart's command. — Buford's demonstration at Kelly's Ford. — Gregg threatens the upper fords.

— Despatches from Hooker to Stoneman. — President Lincoln's letter to Hooker. — The fight at Beverly's Ford. — Failure of Stoneman's movement. — Movements preliminary to the Battle of Chancellorsville. —•- The 5th, 11th, and 13th army corps cross at Kelly's Ford. — The Confederate cavalry is concentrated at Brandy Station. — The 11th and 13th corps move on Germanna Ford; the 5th corps on Ely's Ford. — The fight at Willis Madden's. — Dispositions of Stuart's cavalry. — Answer to the criticisms of the Hon. Mr. Cameron. — Fitz Lee crosses the Rapidan at Raccoon Ford. — Colonel T. H. Owen's fight at Wilderness Run.

— Stuart attacks the enemy's column near Wilderness Tavern. — The night fight near Todd's Tavern. — General R. E. Lee moves his army toward Chancellorsville. — The Horse Artillery in action near the Welford Furnace. — The death of Major R. Channing Price. — Stuart covers Jackson's flank movement. — Lieutenant- Colonel W. R. Carter, 3d Virginia Cavalry, at the Welford Furnace.— Fitz Lee's reconnoissance on the enemy's right flank. — He conducts Jackson to a post of observation. — Jackson attacks the 11th corps. — The Horse Artillery under Breathed and Johnston advance with Jackson's infantry. — Stuart takes the 16th North Carolina Infantry to Ely's Ford. — Makes preparations to attack Averell's camp. — He is called by the fall of Jackson to the command of the 2d corps. — The critical situation of Jackson's corps. — The movements and positions of Jackson's brigades. — General Sickles' position at the Welford Furnace. — The charge of the 8th Pennsylvania Cavalry. — Pleasonton checks the Confederate advance. — Report of Colonel Winn, 8th Georgia regiment.

— Narrow escape of Lieutenant Thompson, of Pleasonton's staff.

— The small force of Confederates engaged on their right of the

Xll CONTENTS.

road. — General Rodes' report. — General Lane's report. — Letter from General Lane. — The position of the troops when Jackson was wounded. — The positions of the Federal troops. — Movements of the Confederate brigades after Jackson was wounded. — Sickles' night attack. — The threatening position held by Sickles.

— Stuart assumes command about midnight. — Colonel E. P. Alexander makes reconnoissance of the field. — His report. — Stuart attacks at daylight. — The struggle for the possession of Hazel Grove. — The result. — Stuart's personal bearing. — Review of the battle of the 3d of May. — Extract from Dabney's " Life of Jackson." — Jackson's plans. — The attack on the 3d could only have been made by the right of Jackson's corps. — Letter from General E. P. Alexander 218

Chapter XV. The Battle Of Fleetwood

The difficulties under which the Southern cavalry labored. — The cavalry reviews near Brandy Station. — Stuart prepares to protect Lee's flank while his army moves northward. — Description of the field near St. James' Church. — Stuart bivouacks on the Fleetwood Hill. — Concentration of Pleasonton's cavalrv at Beverly's and Kelly's fords. — He divides his command into two columns. — Colonel

B. F. Davis, of the 8th New York Cavalry, leads the advance across Beverly's Ford. — His success, and his death. — Charge by Major

C. E. Flournoy, 6th Virginia Cavalry. — The critical situation of the Horse Artillery. — Gallant action of Hart's battery. — Charge of the 7th Virginia Cavalry. — Hampton and W". H. F. Lee arrive on the field. — Their positions. — W. H. F. Lee is attacked. — Hampton and Jones advance. — Brilliant charge of the 6th Pennsylvania and the 6th United States Cavalry. The 2d South Carolina Cavalry and the 4th Virginia Cavalry are sent to Stevensburg. — The situation at Fleetwood Hill. — General Gregg gains the Confederate rear at Brandy Station. — His attack is delayed by Lieutenant Carter's howitzer. — Charge of the 1st New Jersey Cavalry. — Charge of the 12th Virginia Cavalry, and of White's battalion. — The contest for the possession of the Fleetwood Hill.

— Gallantry of the 6th New York battery. — Captain J. W. Martin's report. — Hampton and Jones withdraw from St. James' Church. — Charge of the 6th Virginia Cavalry. — Major Flournoy's report. — Lieutenant J. Wade Wilson's report. — Hampton arrives at Fleetwood. — Charge of the 1st North Carolina Cavalry and of the Jeff Davis Legion. — Charge of the Cobb Georgia Legion and the 1st South Carolina Cavalry. — Colonel P. M. B. Young's report. — The Horse Artillery reaches the crest of Fleetwood Hill. — The 1st New Jersey charges through the guns. — Major Hart's narrative. — Charge of the 11th Virginia Cavalry. —

CONTENTS. xiii

Final repulse of Gregg's division. — The position held by W. H. F. Lee enables Stuart to withdraw Hampton and Jones to meet Gregg. — Stuart's new line. — W. H. F. Lee withdraws to it. — The position of Lee's regiments. — Buford envelops his left, and serious fighting results. — Charge of the 6th Pennsylvania and the 2d United States Cavalry. — Charge of the 9th, 10th, and 13th Virginia Cavalry. — General Beale's account of the fight. — General W. II. F. Lee is wounded. — Death of Colonel Sol. Williams. — Colonel J. It. Chambliss takes command of the brigade. — Munford arrives with Fitz Lee's brigade. — Pleasonton orders Buford to withdraw. — The Battle at Stevensburg. — Colonel M. C. Butler moves his regiment toward Stevensburg. — Lieutenant-Colonel Frank Hampton charges a squadron of the enemy. — Butler takes position on Hansborough Mount. — Duffies division advances and attacks Butler. — Arrival of the 4th Virginia Cavalry. — Unfortunate situation of the regiment. — Duffie makes a successful charge. — Lieutenant-Colonel Frank Hampton is mortally wounded. — The 4th Virginia fails to rally. — Instances of gallantry on the part of men of the 2d South Carolina. — Major Lipscomb's report.— Butler withdraws to Mountain Run. — Butler is wounded, and Captain Farley is killed by the same shell. — Hon. Jno. T. Rhett's narrative. — Duffie is recalled from Stevensburg. — The losses. — The forces engaged. — The results. — None of Stuart's papers were captured. — The Confederate infantry did not arrive until the close of the battle 257

Chapter XVI. Aldie; Middleburg; Upperville

The movements of Stuart's brigades. — The Battle at Aldie. — The Federal troops engaged. — Munford's strong position. — Captain Boston's squadron is captured. — Unsuccessful efforts to dislodge Munford. — The losses. — Munford is ordered by Stuart to retire. — Colonel Duffie crosses Bull Run Mountain at Thoroughfare Gap and moves on Middleburg. — He drives Stuart from Middleburg. — He prepares to defend himself. — He is driven from Middleburg by Robertson's brigade. — He is surrounded during the night by Chambliss' command. — Heavy loss in the 1st Rhode Island Cavalry. — Dispositions of Stuart's command. — Mosby captures an officer of Hooker's staff with despatches. — Gregg's division attacks Stuart on the Middleburg pike on the 1 9th. — Stuart withdraws to a new line. — Major Heros Von Borcke is wounded. — Arrival of Jones' and Hampton's brigades. — Stuart is compelled to occupy three roads. — The battle of the 21st of June. — Stuart loses a Blakely gun. — He retires toward Upperville. — The fight at Upperville. — Buford's report. — W. E. Jones'

xiv CONTENTS.

report. — Hampton's narrative. — The death of Colonel P. G. Evans. — The losses from the 17th to the 21st of June .... 296

Chapter XVII. Gettysburg

Stuart proposes to pass around the rear of the Federal army into Pennsylvania.— Mosby's statement in regard to Stuart's plan. — The circumstances under which Stuart received his orders. — The nature of the orders. — Stuart selects the brigades of Hampton, Fitz Lee, and W. H. F. Lee to accompany him. — His probable reasons. — The relations existing between Stuart and W. E. Jones.

— Stuart moves to Haymarket. — He discovers the march of Hancock's corps. — He withdraws to Buckland, and marches to Wolf Pun Shoals and Fairfax Court House. — The fight at Fairfax Court House. — The death of Major Whitaker, of the 1st North Carolina Cavalry. — Stuart crosses the Potomac at Rowser's Ford.

— The difficult passage of the river. — Capture of a was:on train near Rockville. — Capture and parole of prisoners. — Destruction on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. — The fight at Westminster.

— Death of Lieutenants Gibson and Murray, of the 4th Virginia Cavalry. — The Battle at Hanover. — The night march to Jefferson.— Stuart reaches Carlisle, and marches thence to Gettysburg.

— Hampton's fight at Hunterstown. — Was Stuart's movement around the Federal army an error in strategy ? — The question discussed. — Jenkins' brigade is added to Stuart's command. — Stuart takes position on the Confederate left flank. — The cavalry battle on the left flank. — The losses. — Conflicting testimony as to the result of the melee which closed the, battle. — Stuart covers the retreat of Lee's army. — The fight at Fairfield on the 3d. — Heavy loss in the 6th United States Cavalry. — Destruction of part of Ewell's trains near Monterey. — Stuart's report. — General W. E. Jones' report. — Gallantry of Captain G. M. Emack, 1st Maryland Cavalry. — Buford and Kilpatrick move against the wagon trains at Williamsport. — Stuart's report. — The fight at Hagerstown. — The fight between Hagerstown and Williamsport.

— The trains are saved. — Kilpatrick's statements and report. — Buford's report. — Fight of the 7th Virginia Cavalry near Funkstown. — Colonel Marshall's report. — Report of Lieutenant Nicholas Nolan, 6th United States Cavalry. — The fights at Boonsboro', Beaver Creek, and Funkstown. — Days of hardship. — Personal incidents. — The affair at Falling Waters. — Lee recrosses the Potomac. — The Battle at Shepherdstown. — The death of Colonel James H. Drake, of the 1st Virginia Cavalry. — The close of

the campaign 315

CONTENTS. xv

Chapter XVIII. The Bristoe Campaign

Organization of Hampton's and Fitz Lee's divisions. — Advance of the Federal army into Culpeper. — Gallant exploit of Captain

Thompson. — Major Flournoy's charge at Rapidan Station.

The Jack's Shop fight. — Lieutenant-Colonel George St. Ledger

Grenfell. — General Lee's army moves into Madison County.

The fight at Bethsaida Church. — The fight at James City. — The fight at Culpeper Court House. — Fitz Lee's movement from Raccoon Ford to Brandy Station. — The race between Stuart and Kilpatrick for Brandy Station. — The Battle at Brandy Station. — Rosser and Young are pushed back to Culpeper Court House. — The fight near Jefferson. — The passage of the ford at Warrenton Springs. — Stuart advances to Catlett's Station. — His command is inclosed between two marching columns of the enemy. — An anxious night. — The fight in the morning. — The death of Colonel Ruffin, 1st North Carolina Cavalry. — "The Buckland Races " 371

Chapter XIX. The Winter Of 1863-64

The Federal army occupies Culpeper. — The Mine Run campaign. — Custer's raid to Charlottesville. — Gallant action of the Horse Artillery. — Ineffectual attempt to intercept the raiders. — Kilpatrick's raid on Richmond. — Hampton drives him from his camp at nicht. — The death of Colonel Ulric Dahlgren, and the capture of his command. — The " Dahlgren Papers " 397

Chapter XX. The Death Of Stuart

The opening of the Wilderness campaign. — Severe cavalry engagements on the right flank. — Fitz Lee resists the advance of the 5th corps on Spottsylvania Court House. — Remarkable exploit of Major James Breathed. — Stuart in charge of the left of Anderson's line. — Sheridan's cavalry moves on Richmond. — The fights at Jarrald's Mill and Mitchell's Shop. — The death of Captain George H. Matthews, 3d Virginia Cavalry. — The pursuit to Beaver Dam. — The Battle at the Yellow Tavern. — The closing scenes 406

LIST OF MAPS.

Map of the Vicinity of Richmond, — Illustrating the Chickahominy raid and the movements of the cavalry in the Seven Days' Battles around Richmond {In Cover Pocket.)

Map of the Routes of the Cavalry Division in the Chambeksburg Raid and in the Gettysburg Campaign

{In Cover Pocket.)

Map of the Vicinity of Brandy Station, — Illustrating the Battle of Fleetwood {In Cover Pocket.)

Map of Parts of Loudon and Fauquier Counties .... 169

Map of the Battle of Fredericksburg 190

Map of the Vicinity of Kelly's Ford, — Illustrating the battle of the 17th of March, 1863 206

Map of Chancellorsville, — Illustrating the battle of the 3d

THE LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS

OF

MAJOR-GENERAL J- E. B. STUART.

Chapter I. Ancestry, Boyhood And Youth

James Ewell Brown Stuart was born in Patrick County, Virginia, on the 6th of February, 1833.

His ancestry is traced on his father's side to Archibald Stuart, a native of Londonderry, Ireland, but of Scotch-Presbyterian parentage, who, about the year 1726, was compelled by religious persecution to fly from his native country. He found refuge in western Pennsylvania, where he remained in seclusion for seven years. At the expiration of this period the passage of an act of amnesty rendered it safe for him to disclose his hiding-place, and his wife and children joined him in his new home. About the year 1738 he removed from Pennsylvania to Augusta County, Va., where he acquired large landed estates, which, either during his lifetime or by will, he divided among his four children.

His second son and third child, Major Alexander Stuart, was early in the Revolutionary War commissioned as major in Colonel Samuel McDowell's regiment, in which he served throughout the war. During

Colonel McDowell's illness he commanded the regiment at the battle of Guilford Court House. Two horses were killed under him in this action, and he himself, dangerously wounded, was left upon the field and fell into the hands of the enemy He was subsequently exchanged, and his sword was returned to him. This valued relic is now in the possession of his grandson, the Hon. Alexander H. H. Stuart, of Virginia. Major Stuart was a warm friend of education, and aided liberally in the endowment of the school which afterwards expanded into Washington College, and is now known as Washington and Lee University He was a man of large stature and uncommon intelligence. He died at the advanced age of ninety years.

Judge Alexander Stuart, the youngest son of Major Alexander Stuart, was a lawyer by profession. He resided for some years in Cumberland County, Va., but having been elected a member of the Executive Council of the State, removed thence to Richmond. He subsequently resided in Illinois, where he held the office of United States Judge ; and in Missouri, where he held office as United States Judge, Judge of the Circuit Court of the State, and Speaker of the Missouri Legislature. He died in Staunton, Va., in 1832, and was there buried.

The Hon. Archibald Stuart, of Patrick County, Va., the eldest son of Judge Alexander Stuart and the father of General J. E. B. Stuart, was an officer in the United States Army m the War of 1812. He embraced the profession of law. Throughout his long and eventful life he was actively engaged in the practice of his profession and in political life. He represented, first, the county of Campbell in the Virginia Legislature, and was repeatedly elected to both branches of that body from the county of Patrick. He was a

HIS PATERNAL ANCESTRY 3 o member of the Constitutional Convention of 1829-30, and of the Convention of 1850. In this latter body, he and the Hon. Henry A. Wise were two of the four members residing east of the Blue Ridge who advocated a " white basis " of representation for the State. He represented the Patrick district in the Federal Congress during the Nullification agitation, and was a strong supporter of Mr. Calhoun in that crisis. He is represented as a man of splendid talents and wonderful versatility " A powerful orator and advocate, he charmed the multitude on the hustings, and convinced juries and courts. In addition to these gifts, he was one of the most charming social companions the State ever produced. Possessing wonderful wit and humor, combined with rare gift for song, he at once became the centre of attraction at every social gathering. Among the people of the counties where he practised his name is held in great respect, and his memory is cherished with an affection rarely equalled in the history of any public man."

He married Elizabeth Letcher Pannill, of Pittsylvania County, Va., by whom he had four sons and six daughters. Among these, James E. B. Stuart was the seventh child and youngest son.

On his mother's side the ancestry of General Stuart is not less distinguished.

Giles Letcher was descended from ancient Welsh families — the Hughses, Gileses, and Leches. He was born in Ireland, to which country one of his ancestors had removed from Wales during the reign of Charles the Second. He emigrated to the New World before the Revolutionary War, and was married in Richmond, Va., to Miss Hannah Hughes, a lady of fortune and of Welsh extraction. He settled in Goochland County, Va. He had four sons and one daughter. His eldest son, Stephen Letcher, was the father of Governor Robert P Letcher, of Kentucky. His third son, John Letcher, married the daughter of the Hon. Sam Houston, of Texas, and was the father of Governor John Letcher, of Virginia. His second son, William Letcher, removed to Pittsylvania County, Va., where he married Elizabeth Perkins, daughter of Nicholas Perkins, who owned a considerable estate upon the Dan River. He finally settled in Patrick County, on the Ararat, a small stream which rises in the Blue Ridge and empties into the Yadkin River in North Carolina.

The settlers in that part of Virginia were greatly annoyed by the Tories, who were numerous in North Carolina, and many encounters had taken place between them and the Whigs in that border land. William Letcher had served in a volunteer company from his county that had defeated the Tories at the battle of the Shallow Ford, on the Yadkin, a place which is still considered historic in that locality. This victory had inspired the Whigs with new courage ; and William Letcher, prominent among them, had openly expressed his determination to resist the robberies and depredations of the Tories, and to hunt them down to the death. In the latter part of June, 1780, while Mrs. Letcher was in her house alone with her infant daughter, then only six weeks old, a stranger appeared at the door and inquired for Mr. Letcher. There was nothing unusual in his manner, and Mrs. Letcher replied that her husband would soon be at home. While she was speaking, Mr. Letcher entered and invited the stranger to be seated. To this courtesy the stranger (he was a Tory named Nichols) replied by presenting his gun and saying : " I demand you in his Majesty's name." Letcher seized the gun to get possession of it; the Tory fired,