./. E. B. Stuart. 95
McClellan, who was by his bedside, and asked him what it meant. II' was told that Gracie's brigade and other troops had moved out n-4 the enemy's rear on Brook turnpike. He turned his eyes upward and exclaimed: " God grant they may be successful, but," said he " I must be prepared for another world."
I have already alluded to the vigilance of this officer while on the out-post and elsewhere. In support of what I have already said, I exhibit here to-day a field telegram sent by him to me. It is dated at Orange Courhouse, March loth, 1864. The envelope is the orig- inal and the grime of war is upon its face, but it is none the less interesting on this account. It was sent by telegraph to me at Ham- ilton's Crossing, and it reads as follows:
CAPT. R. E. FRAYSER,
Watch the Potomac closely, to see if Kilpatrick's command passes.
J. E. B. STUART,
Major-General.
It will be remembered that in the early part of March, 1864, Kil- patrick made a raid on Richmond with nearly thirty-six hundred cav- alry, with the intention of liberating the Federal prisoners, and capturing Richmond. The disasters of this expedition are too well known for me to narrate them here.
An effectionate brother has erected to Stuart a massive granite shaft on a beautiful knoll in Hollywood, near the rippling waters of the ma- jestic James, and in the shade of that thriving and picturesque city for which he lost his life while the Mede was thundering at its gates, and when the Persian was almost on the throne.
In closing I will give you a pen picture of this conspicuous caval- ryman. Some of his old soldiers may recognize it: A young man with florid complexion, five feet ten inches in height, perfectly erect, with broad shoulders and a flowing auburn beard, blue eyes, prominent nose, lofty and expanded brow, a well developed head, and a verita- able athlete in physique. But still this picture would be incomplete if I omitted the felt hat with black plume and elaborate yellow silk i, heavy jack boots and spurs. All of these were ever kept
- rupulously neat. Thus I may present you the typical cavalryman
"Jeb" Stuart.
