Hd Qrs Cav Div
Near Fredbg April 6th 1863
My Dear
Darling—
I recd
yours of the 22d 28th and from Mr Wilson’s yesterday, and
was delighted to hear how well you were getting on. I wrote a note to you from Dundee – there is no place or family
on the continent where you are more loved than there – the servants even all
asked me time and again Please to bring you back. Mrs Price (Dr) says tell Cousin Flora I never write but you must
write for me that we are anxious for a visit from her whenever she can make it
practicable – The same feeling was manifest at Mr Thos R Price’s. Mrs Letcher also expressed the kindest
regards for you, and her daughter Miss Lizzie has paid me the high compliment
to take “Stuart” in her name.
She is now Elizabeth Stuart Letcher.
Mr Garnett is here now he sends his best regards and says he has a room
ready for you whenever you come back and says tell her “the Philistines have
left me at last.” I think your port
wine made a lasting impression on him.
I enclose a list of my staff.
For the vacancy I want to get a real working fellow for office duty, and
have not yet made up my mind, as to three I am thinking of. One is Major Boyd old school fellow son of
T.I. Boyd of Wythe – now Brigade Qr Mr Hay’s La Brigade, a real working
industrious fellow – and smart too – we read Caesar together – another is Lt
H.B. McClellan adjt 3rd Va Cav. Cousin of Little Mac – who is a
hardworking, religious, and gallant officer.
I send you one of his letters, the other is Andw R. Venable
whom I introduced to you on the Cars.
He was one of the Bates’ boys.
As belonging to the Cavalry McClellan’s claim is strong – personally
the other claims are stronger. Have you
anything to say? You told Cousin Nannie
about Roper’s pledge – which was one of the confidential papers I entrusted to
your confidence at Mrs Allsop’s. Roper
is thought by many to be engaged to Miss Winston. I have a bet of a pound of candy with Miss Ellen Price against a
big sponge cake that it will never be.
I have at last
sent for a bridal present for Cousin Lizzie two tumblers (silver) with a device
representing a Fountain with two cavalry sentinels mounted on each side, with
the motto “nous defendrous La Fontaine” and the initials K.G.S. over the pet
d’eau. It is my own fancy & I think
it quite unique & appropriate.
I pray we may
soon meet, for you better believe I long for you. Be of good cheer & pray without ceasing. Kisses to Jimmie
Ever Yours,
J.E.B. Stuart