Head Quarters Cavalry Corps
Army of Northern Virginia
March 7th 1864
Dear Brother –
I have had
some very hard riding -- & some fighting during the past week after the
enemy. He was foiled in his efforts but
it was a great disappointment to me not to be able to strike him that death
blow which would have been his fate, had he attempted such a thing when my
command was together – instead of dispersed as it necessarily had to be to
procure forage during the remainder of the winter. I doubt not however that his plans would never have been laid in
ordinary circumstances, but resulted from his knowledge of our temporary
weakness in cavalry. It is gratifying
to know that though scattered and weakened, my command did gallant and highly
important service wherever the enemy appeared.
Lt. Pollard who by the way is a relation of ours performing the crowning act of killing the villain Dahlgren
– There is every reason to believe that the expedition was planned under the
immediate direction of Prest. Lincoln, himself. How do you come on getting a house? Do you think there are chances of success? I would like to hear. I have watched the progress of the salt
discussion with much interest, Boteler writes me that he thinks the Senate will
check the radical tendency of the house on the subject, he says moreover that
he has taken the liberty of informing you that you could render your country
vastly more service in your position as salt-manager than as soldier – in which
I entirely agree – It is only to decide whether you are to consult your popular
fame by joining the army – or regardless or regardless of that retain
your present position to benefit the cause.
If you are unselfish enough to do the latter, be sure to get such
gentlemen who thus express themselves (who are no doubt the first men in the
state) to express it in writing with such vouchers you can face the
world in after years. But if you
ever decide to join the army, be sure to come here. I have had very bad luck in horses, two of
my best horses took the farcy, one has died, the other I have despaired of –
another died in Augusta a day or two ago which I bought from Von Borcke, &
sent there to recruit, another has recovered from the farcy, while another had
all its hoofs to come off & is still unserviceable. During the enemy’s late movements I had to
buy another & drew on you for the am’t $1500 which is the market value of a
good horse now. A.G. Mathews of Pulaski
sent Gen’l Lee a very fine large sorrel as a present the other day.
What Mathews
is that? Give my best love to Sister El
– in which Flora joins. She remained
here during my extensive ride.
Your affectionate brother
JEBStuart