Warpath April 8th 1863
My Dearest One
–
The enclosed was
sent to the Spotswood Monday evening to be sent by Sam Hardin who was to have
left Tuesday, but he had already gone.
I don’t know when I have been so vexed as when I heard Ma had mistaken
your letter for hers & read it. I
dont know what I wrote, but I certainly did not write for her to see. I enclose you $100. You will perceive that it has 2 cents per
day interest on it & you had better keep it if you can. I send $20 also. My Mess bill last month was
$100 – table expenses – and I was away a good deal too. Provisions are scarce and costly. I change my Hd Qrs tomorrow to Culpeper, and
will hardly return here again before a battle.
I have already
written adversely to your living with Dr Brewer – because I like them and don’t
want anything to occur to make you or me like them less. That is the plain english of it, and I am right. You will say so some of these days if you do
not now. Moreover I dont want the cares
of housekeeping added to your other cares.
Beckham succeeds Pelham – I have a very harmonious and efficient staff
now except one not yet determined one.
I enclose a little slip you must think about & reflect upon. Von Borcke sends his best regards – He will
be Lt Col if the staff bill passes.
Dont say
anything on the Salt question. Bro A is
satisfied, and at any rate we cant help him by making ourselves parties to
it. He is as noble a man as ever
breathed. Your course to say little is
a wise one. Never join in abuse of the
govt. or its agents. The salvation of the country under Providence is with the
govt – sustain it & them all with stout hearts and strong arms. By watching your opportunity you may run up
to Culpeper & see me but you will have to leave Jimmie & Mary
back with Maria. There are some ex [missing] phs of me. I recd a beautiful pin cushion
made by Miss Hullihen of Wheeling. You
must keep it sacred for me. Isn’t it
beautiful. Hang it up under my picture. I return your picture – it is not good. Riddle did not succeed with half those he
tried. Poor Pelham’s death has created
a great sensation all over the country.
He was noble in every sense of the word, I want Jimmie to be just like
him. Keep those advice letters
and when you get low spirited con them over. FitzHugh seems very happy in his new position. I think he will get on finely. His wife is about to move to Albemarle. Mrs FitzHugh leaves tomorrow.
No new
[missing]
Strictly Private
An
important question – what
shall it be named? Let us interchange
views on the subject for it involves our own happiness as well as that of the individual
immediately concerned.
If a boy, I
wish him to be called John Pelham Stuart.
I have thought of it much – it is my choice. His record is complete, and it is
spotless, it is noble. His
family was the very best. His character
pure his disposition as sweet & pure as our Little Flora’s. You have no idea how I will fel to know that
if a boy, I will have an heir named Jno Pelham. Think of it my Darling.
If a girl name it Maria Pelham Stuart, and thus combine two lovely
natures in the name of our little one.
There never can be anything to regret in either case, and she or he will
be grateful while she or he lives. I do
not like the name Rachel – though I have tried to. Your Ma will be very far from expecting
it. You should say “Ma you were not
with us.”
That is
certainly argument enough.
I go forth on
the uncertain future. My sabre will not
leave my hand for months. I am
sustained in the hour of peril, with the consciousness of right, and upheld by
the same Almighty Hand which thus far has covered my head in the day of battle,
in whom I put my trust. It will be
gratifying to me while living to know you have respected my wishes, and it will
console me in death to feel that the birthright & heritage I leave to you
& mine will be preserved as I desired.
Ever
JEBStuart
April 8th
1863