unconstrained in his presence, and treated him more like the chief huntsman of a hunting party than as a major- general." ^^ His officers also loved him, and not only- trusted him for war, but enjoyed his company in peace. He was constantly on the watch to do them kindnesses, and would frolic with them — marbles, snowballs, quoits, what not ? — like a boy with boys.
And Stuart loved his men as they loved him, did not regard them as mere food for cannon, to be used, and abused, and forgotten. There is something almost pa- thetic in his neglect of self in praising them. ** The horse- man who, at his officer's bidding, without question, leaps into unexplored darkness, knowing nothing except that there is danger ahead, possesses the highest attri- bute of the patriot soldier. It is a great source of pride to me to command a division of such men." ^^ Careless of his own danger always, he was far more thoughtful of those about him. In the last battle he was peculiarly reckless, and Major McClellan noticed that the general kept sending him with messages to General Anderson. "At last the thought occurred to me that he was endeav oring to shield me from danger. I said to him : * Gen- eral, my horse is weary. You are exposing yourself, and you are alone. Please let me remain with you.' He smiled at me kindly, but bade me go to General Anderson with another message." ^^
Any reflection on his command arouses him at once to its defense. *' There seems to be a growing tendency
�� �
