Life of J. E. B. Stuart

by Mary L. Williamson

At the first peep of day, the Confederates discovered that a large force of Federal infantry had halted near, had stacked arms, and were getting breakfast. They were so near the Confederates that several of their officers who strayed into the woods were captured. In the dim light of morning, each soldier in gray tightened the girth of his hungry, weary steed and mounted silently, with weapons ready for the charge. The seven guns were parked near the west of the hill, just opposite the feasting Federals. Then the men waited,—waited either to be discovered by the Federals when the bright sunlight should flash upon their gray coats or to hear Lee’s guns as a signal for them to attack.

At last! There was firing from toward Warrenton. Aid was approaching and the time had come to cut their way out. In an instant, the seven guns were pouring shot and shell upon the surprised Federals. The horsemen then charged upon the infantry regiments which had hastily formed in line of battle and were advancing upon the guns. A fierce combat now ensued in which the Federals were driven back. The artillery and wagons, followed closely by the horsemen, passed behind the rear of the Federals and thus the whole command escaped from its perilous position.

General Meade now fell back to Centerville and General Lee, having failed to cut off General Meade from Washington, retired again to the line of the Rappahannock. Stuart continued to follow the Federal cavalry, having skirmishes at Bull Run, Groveton, and Frying Pan Church.

A few days later, the Confederate cavalry defeated a large force of infantry near Buckland, in a battle that is known as the “Buckland Races.” After a sharp skirmish, Stuart fell back slowly toward Warrenton in order to draw the Federals after him; for Fitz Lee was moving forward from Warrenton to attack them in the rear. Stuart, as soon as he heard the sound of Fitz Lee’s guns, turned suddenly upon the Federals with so furious a charge that their lines were broken and put to flight. Stuart chased them for five miles and captured two hundred and fifty prisoners and eight wagons and ambulances. Thus he may be said to have fairly won the race back to Buckland.

Soon after this, both armies went into winter quarters. The Federal soldiers had comforts and even luxuries, while the Confederates were poorly clothed and fed. Their sufferings during this bitter cold winter could not have been endured but for the food and clothing sent from their homes. Officers and men fared alike; the resources of the Confederacy were at a low ebb.

Mrs. Stuart was boarding at Orange Courthouse, and, as General Stuart’s headquarters were near by, he was able to spend some time with his family again. And a very happy family it was now, for on the ninth of the previous October, the very day that began Stuart’s heavy work in the Bristoe Campaign, a daughter had come to comfort him and Mrs. Stuart for the loss of their little Flora. The devoted father named this little baby Virginia Pelham, in honor of his beloved state and in memory of the gallant young leader of the Stuart Horse Artillery whom he had loved so well. The members of General Stuart’s staff were all devoted to this new member of the family, and General Lee, whose headquarters were not far distant, came more than once to visit Mrs. Stuart and “Miss Virginia,” as he called the little lady. The admiration paid his little daughter gave Stuart great delight.

Late in February, 1864, the Federal cavalry made an attempt to take Richmond. This movement was known as “Dahlgren’s Raid” and the large Federal forces were fitted out with great care. But in spite of their superior numbers, they were driven back by Stuart’s cavalry.

On March 17, General U. S. Grant was placed in command of all the Federal armies. As it was evident that the great struggle of the year would take place in Virginia, he took charge of General Meade’s army and prepared it for the coming campaign. He had an army of 125,000 men, fully equipped, and with all that money could buy.

At midnight on May 3, the Federal army began to advance. General Lee permitted it to cross the Rapidan and march into the Wilderness where the battle of Chancellorsville had been fought the year before. In this jungle, it would be difficult for the Federals to use their artillery and they would be compelled to fight at a disadvantage. General Grant expected General Lee to retreat to a line nearer Richmond, and he was surprised when his troops plunged into the dense woods and thickets of the Wilderness to find General Lee ready to fight on ground of his own choosing.

As soon as the news was received at the cavalry headquarters that the Federals had crossed the fords of the Rapidan, Stuart set out for his picket line. He conducted in person the advances of the infantry until the lines of the enemy were reached, and on May 6 and 7 the great Battle of the Wilderness raged furiously.