Stuart had been placed in an ambulance and borne across the stream, where Dr. Randolph and Dr. Fontaine made a brief examination of his wound. It was plainly mortal—but he was hastily driven, by way of Mechanicsville, into Richmond.
His hard fighting had saved the city. When Sheridan attacked, he was repulsed.
But the capital was dearly purchased. Twenty-four hours afterward Stuart was dead.
{Illustration: DEATH OF STUART}
The end of the great cavalier had been as serene as his life was stormy. His death was that of the Christian warrior, who bows to the will of God, and accepts whatever His loving hand decrees for him.
He asked repeatedly that his favorite hymns should be sung for him; and when President Davis visited him, and asked:—
“General, how do you feel?”
“Easy, but willing to die,” he said, “if God and my country think I have fulfilled my destiny, and done my duty."{1}
{Footnote 1: His words.}
As night came, he requested his physician to inform him if he thought he would live till morning. The physician replied that his death was rapidly approaching, when he faintly bowed his head, and murmured:—