Lot 378
Stuart, James Ewell Brown (1833-64) Legendary Confederate cavalry officer; mortally wounded at Yellow Tavern May 11, 1864. Autograph Letter Signed "S" 2¼pp, 6x3¾", Rappahanock, 8 Apr. 1862. Original envelope engraved, "Head Quarters Cavalry Brigade, Army of the Potomac" with holograph address, " "Miss Laura Ratcliffe, Beauty's Bower." The dashing cavalry officer writes: "We are here quietly waiting for the Yankees and if they ever come we will send them howling - through Fairfax again. We have won a glorious victory in New Mexico, capturing the whole Federal command 5000 - under Genl Canby. We have also won a glorious victory near Corinth on the Tenn. captured 3 genls Smith McClernand & Prentiss & six thousand prisoners, all their artillery & camp equipage & rumor says we are sure to bag the remainder who are in full retreat A.S. Johnston was killed. Beauregard & Bragg were there. I have thought of you much, & hope soon to see you all again. Before another week we expect to win another glorious victory. Hurrah! Hurrah!! I wish I could see you read this. My regards to your folks. The bullet-proof is all right. Yours very truly." He started to write his name, then scratched it out and wrote simply "S".
Laura Ratcliffe (1836-1923) met Gen. Stuart when she and her sister nursed wounded soldiers at his camp during the winter of 1861. She provided Stuart and his protégé, Col. John Singleton Mosby, with information on Union troop activity in Fairfax County. Stuart mentions the death of Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston, which had occurred two days earlier (April 6th at the battle of Shiloh). Stuart claimed a Confederate victory but when Beauregard took command after Johnston's death, CSA troops had to drop back to Corinth, evacuating much of Tennessee and opening the way to the final splitting of the Confederacy along the Mississippi.
Estimated Value $12,000 - 15,000.
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