Stuart, James Ewell Brown, as CSA General

Autograph letter signed ("J.E.B. Stuart"), 4 pages (8 1/2 x 5 1/8 in.; 209 x 130 mm) on a bifolium of blue-ruled paper, Camp Wigwam [near Orange Court House, Virginia], 28 April 1864, to General Fitzhugh Lee ("near Fredericksburg"), with original autograph envelope marked "Private" and printed Head Quarters Cavalry Corps, Army of Northern Virginia; a single short fold separation.

Just two weeks before he would be mortally wounded in battle, Jeb Stuart describes the position and organization of the Army of Northern Virginia as it prepares to break winter camp to begin the Overland, or Wilderness, Campaign. "Many thanks for your frank friendly letter of April 24th, and which I now undertake to answer, though writing has greatly increased on my hands lately. I have given orders to Frazier as you requested, arrange it as your judgment may direct keeping the two objects, watching the Potomack and Rappahannock both in view. {General John R.] Chambliss is already in the fork. His HdQrs at the Madison house. I do not know that the new Divn. will be organized. I did not know what Genl Lee's endorsement was. I think however that as it seemed almost certain at the time that you would have at least 6000 effective in your Division his estimate was not so far astray. I believe the Cavalry will be much more easily handled with 2 brigades to a Division, giving one Divn. on each flank & one in reserve and more effective—It has the disadvantage of diminishing your command."

Stuart allows himself a bit of humor in commenting on the awkward position of Fitz Lee's cousin (and Robert E. Lee's son) William Henry Fitzhugh ("Rooney") Lee, who was about to be given a more significant command. Rooney Lee had served with Stuart until being taken prisoner in June 1863. He was not exchanged until March 1864 and just five days before this letter was written he was promoted to Major General, the youngest of that rank in the Confederate Army. "As to the individual merits of the one recommended, it is a great pity his name is Lee for it gives such a nice point to insinuation and carp, and the confusion of names is very awkward, but 'the man's the man for a' that.' I have no apprehension as to the result of his appt. for him I have known under all circumstances & do not doubt his will be second to no Division in the Army of Northen Va. No one who knows the services he has rendered & his ability can question either—[Lunsford Lindsey] Lomax is a fine officer, no better to be found. But Lee has the advantage of nearly 12 months rank. His handling of his brigade at Fleetwood was certainly splendid, it was more like Kelleyville than anything else I have seen this war. ... He commanded a regt well, a brigade well, & have no doubt his reputation will continue to grow with his command."

Lomax, Stuart continues, could still be promoted, as could several other cavalry officers. He concludes on a cautionary note. "If I had consulted outsiders the best officers we have now as Genl's in the Cavalry would have been left out in the cold, particularly such men as Lomax. ... It will not do to listen to the cavil of discontents & oppositions growlers."

On 11 May Stuart and Fitzhugh Lee engaged Union General Philip Sheridan at the Battle of Yellow Tavern, about six miles north of Richmond. Stuart was mortally wounded and died the next day.