Camp Boteler Sept 11th 63

My Darling One,

I rec^d your last and was not prepared to hear of any illness so soon.  I hope sincerely you are on your feet again.  Mrs Hill sent me such a beautiful bouquet.  I wish I could transfer it to you.  It is exquisite I hope you rec^d the $200 I sent in a draft on the Farmers bank Richmond.  I have seen no notice of Alick’s marriage, did it it come off or not?

Glorious news from Sumter isn’t it?

Everything is quiet here and the time is so favorable for you to visit me, but I agree the risk is too great to justify it as it is.  The cavalry has been divided into two Divisions under Hampton & Fitz Lee as Major Generals, and the whole under my command, but I am not promoted – Whether I am or not remains to be seen.  Gen Lee said nothing to me about it nor I to him, of course.  Every one seems to think it will come – I am not sanguine.

Our army is in fine condition – I feel very sanguine of victory if a battle takes place.  Dont forget about the name.  I have thought of it much and it would be so gratifying to have it bear the name so much associated with me.  [Illegible] is away on ten days leave.  Mrs Lee & her two daughters Mary & Agnes are at Bufords depot Bedford Co.  Miss Mary wrote me the other day sending her best love to you.  She had not till a month ago heard of the death of our Dear Little Flora.  She wrote mostly about her.  I miss Rooney very much from his brigade.  He is a splendid officer & so thoroughgoing so concientious & so brave.

Venable is getting a great name as a staff officer.  He obeys my injunction “Cry aloud spare not show my people their transgressions!”  I think I will make Cooke write my reports when he comes back.  I am so behind hand with them.  I have Brigade reviews every day.

Wickham, Lomax, & Butler are Brigadiers at last.  Butler is Eugenia Ransom’s brother in law.

I saw Ewell’s whole corps under review the other day.  Every Gen’l & Col in the Infy appears to have his wife along.  Mrs Gen Walker (H H) has a beautiful fr bride, she was the daughter of Genl Mercer of Ga.  Seeing so many a-horseback reminds me very forcibly of my Darling.  When will you be on My Maryland again.  I am pretty well mounted again.  I have a new horse named Highflyer.  Mrs Ewell looked very happy.

Yours J.E.B.Stuart

P.S. I pray that you may come safely out of all your troubles.  Be prayerful & courageous.  JEBS

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