Hd Qrs Cav Corps
Octr
25 1863.
My Darling Wife—
How are you this lovely sabbath – no sermon to-day for us.
We miss Dabney Ball so much. I hope he will come back to us as a
Missionary.
How is my little daughter – How I would like to see her. I
have a beautiful white knit scarf, which a Mr Burnett sent me today
which I intend for Virginia. Blackford has a boy ten days old,
named Pelham Blackford. How are you getting along, not harassed
at all I hope. We have had a quiet time since my last
letter. Col Boteler has returned he is a true friend. I
have always believed that the slanders circulated against me were
traceable to some individual, and I am informed it is
Rob Swan
– would you have believed it? The less notice we take of it
the better as he is a contemptible puppy, & my friends have been so
thoroughly aroused they will put him down. No man in the
Confederacy stands lower than Bob. Rosecranz has been superseded
by Geo. H. Thomas, & a good thing for us. Longstreet writes
me my
cavy
is a long ways ahead
of the cavalry out west, which gratifies me very much. Gen Lee
told me the other day “our cavalry had in this campaign covered
itself with glory.” Every one is full of praise for the
cavalry now. None louder than the Infantry. You must hurry
up & bring that little daughter to see me. Boteler thinks I
will soon be a Lt Gen’l – I am not impatient. I have
a splendid command.
I hear from various sources that Jimmie is kept too much in doors
– look to that my darling – see that he runs out all day
– he ought to rough it now.
Give my Pa’s love & tell him he must learn to run fast and
jump high for Papa. I send you photographs of Col. Boteler &
Blackford for your photograph album, & also one of Bayard which a
lady of Warrenton obtained from a Yankee for me. Old Sedgwick
said when he heard Hood had superseded me, “I hope to God it is
so for that fellow Stuart is the most dashing cavalry officer on the
continent.” I mention these compliments because you see
& hear many things which may not please you. I think Dr.
Fontaine is getting a little
anxious.
Send me Mary’s brother – My horse Highflyer was shot at
Jack’s Shop – no other horse hurt. Love to all
friends – John’s wound was doing well the other day –
He was at Mr. Patton’s near Gordonsville – He was hit on
the shin but will not lose his leg. Take good care of yourself
– May God bless & preserve my Darling ones. Yours
JEBStuart