46 CONFEDERATE PORTRAITS
one of Lee's letters, however, it is fairly evident that neither he nor Stuart himself had seriously considered the latter's taking Jackson's place. Lee writes : " I am obliged to you for your views as to the successor of the great and good Jackson. Unless God in his mercy will raise us up one, I do not know what we shall do. I agree with you on the subject, and have so expressed myself." ^^
In any event, what his countrymen will always remem- ber of Stuart is the fighting figure, the glory of battle, the sudden and tumultuous fury of charge and onset.
And what above all distinguishes him in this is his splendid joy in it. Others fought with clenched fist and set teeth, rejoicing, perhaps, but with deadly determina- tion of lip and brow. He laughed and sang. His blue eye sparkled and his white teeth gleamed. To others it was the valley of the shadow of death. To him it was a pic- nic and a pleasure party.
He views everything by its picturesque side, catches the theatrical detail which turns terror and death into a scenic surprise. ** My arrival could not have been more fortunately timed, for, arriving after dark, the pon- derous march, with the rolling artillery, must have im- pressed the enemy's cavalry, watching their rear, with the He rushed gayly into battle, singing, " Old Joe Hooker, won't you come out of the Wilderness?" or his favorite of favorites, ** If you want to have a good time, jine the
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