THE HOUSE IN WHICH STUART DIED
This house has been torn down. The building erected on its site bears a tablet in memory of Stuart.
“He then said: ‘I wish you to take one of my horses and Venable the other. Which is the heavier rider?’
“I replied that I thought Venable was.
“‘Then,’ he said, ‘let Venable have the gray horse and you take the bay.’
“Soon he spoke again: ‘You will find in my hat a small Confederate flag, which a lady of Columbia, South Carolina, sent me, with the request that I would wear it upon my horse in a battle and then return it to her. Send it to her.’”
Later, Major McClellan found the flag inside the lining of the general’s hat. Among his papers was the letter conveying the lady’s request.
“Again he said: ‘My spurs which I have always worn in battle, I promised to give to Mrs. Lilly Lee, of Shepherdstown, Virginia. My sword I leave to my son.’
“While I sat by his bed, the sound of cannon outside the city was heard. He turned to me eagerly and inquired what it meant. I explained that Gracey’s brigade and other troops had moved out against the rear of the enemy on the Brooke turnpike and that Fitz Lee would endeavor to oppose their advance at Meadow Bridge.
“He turned his eyes upward, and exclaimed earnestly, ‘God grant that they may be successful.’ Then turning his head aside, he said with a sigh: ‘But I must be prepared for another world.’
“The thought of duty was ever uppermost in his mind, and after listening to the distant cannonading for a few moments, he said, ‘Major, Fitz Lee may need you.’ I understood his meaning and pressed his hand in a last farewell. As I left his chamber, President Davis entered.