Camp Beverly
Oct 4th 1861
My Dear
Brother
Your kind
letter from Richmond was duly received.
I am delighted to hear of the prospect before you. I have heard it from other sources & I
assure you there are very few things in this life that would give me
more pleasure than your prosperity. I
have not yet appointed any aid de camp and as it is a choice like a wife, for
better or for worse, I will take time to make the selection. P.W.H. declines it upon the ground that pay
was no inducement and as volunteer aid he received all the consideration
without the trammels of military rule.
I think he is right for he may at any time wish to go home on a leave,
if he is a regular aid he can’t get a
leave, if a volunteer aid he need not ask one.
He gave me a splendid charger, “Star of the East” and I am now
mounted better than any General in the Army.
I command all the cavalry in the Army of the Potomac 4 Regiments as my
Brigade. It is considered the
handsomest command in the Service.
W.E. Jones
succeeded me as Col. Fitzhugh Lee is
Lieut. Col.
My Hd Qrs are
distinguished by the total absence of intoxicating drink.
Please place
the $150 Flora borrowed, to the debit of P.W. Hairston as I have already
settled it with him. I am greatly
obliged to you for your thoughtfulness in getting the spy glass – as I had been
presented with a very fine one by a Balto lady (sent per underground
R.R.) I sent yours as a present from you to Jo Kent as you desired. Give my best love to all the family. The President spent a few days with us but
returned yesterday. I had the honor of
furnishing escort to him from the R.R. to the C.H. with a company of Miss
Cavalry. On the way I met Flora &
the children. The President stopped to
speak to them & spoke to shook hands with Little Flora. He is in very bad health.
Flora &
the children are now at Warrenton – they have had excellent health east of the
mountains. Beverly Johnston after whom
my camp is named is a sort of Private Secretary to Gen’l Jo. I am just 4 miles in advance of Fairfax C.H.
Most affectionately
Your brother
J.E.B.Stuart