Hd Qrs Cav Corps A. N. Va
Feb’y 1st 1864
My Dear
Brother—
I am very much
exercised about a home for Flora, and wish to see what can be effected which
will suit her & be within the reach of your help. In this connection I wish to inform you that I have advices from
St. Louis, that the amt left there (over $6000) in the hands of others is
perfectly safe though its transfer south is not now deemed safe. This amount would be worth here now $100,000
and I think I will be able to get it through yet. As you know I have nothing else, and but for your kindness would
long since have experienced great inconvenience. The existence of that sum to my credit, enables me to ask your
aid with the hope of repaying, and at some future day either myself or my heirs
&c.
I feel anxious
to fix Flora in a home, I may be killed any day or taken prisoner – you
can not possibly realize what poignancy will be added to my pain in mind &
body to feel that they are wanderers in the land I have given my life or
liberty for – Public charity I would not have them accept – Private
hospitality of friends is very gratifying but is not home. Flora is away from father & mother &
I desire no emergency to arise to make it expedient or necessary for her to
join them. I am satisfied that now she
can have no such desire in any possible contingency. To provide her a home where she could form local interests
and attachments will remove from my apprehension anything tending that
way. If there is anything which could
possibly disturb the rest of my ashes, it would be that my children had been
taken north of Mason & Dixon’s line against which I here enter, and call
you to witness, my irrevocable protest.
There is an intensity in my feeling in this matter which I can not
express & which you may not realize or appreciate. But enough of this – Flora seems to think
Richmond will best suit her, but it may be impossible to procure a suitable
place – of this matter you must judge & she & you decide, I do not wish
to rent on account of the lack of permanency, there is no home feeling. Please see her & get some person
conversant with such matters to look out for a place. I think it probable a purchase before the passage of the currency
bill (as it is expected to pass) may not be attended with disadvantage. I dislike to trouble you but it is
impossible for me to do any thing, for only yesterday I was prevented from
going to church by a call to the front by an partial movement by the
enemy. I suppose the purchase will if
made, be made by you in your own name – with the reserved right of purchase to
us or something of the sort – you fix it to suit yourself. Love to El.
Yours affectionately
J.E.B.Stuart