Lot 185
Stuart, James Ewell Brown "Jeb" -- War-date ALS. (1833-1864) Confederate cavalry officer known for his gallantry and high spirits and his bold command. He participated in all the major campaigns in the Virginia theater between 1861 and early 1864, until his death at Yellow Tavern on May 11, 1864. Autograph letter signed "J.E.B.," one page, 6 x 4", Centreville, Jan. 30, 1862. Addressed to "My dear Ladies," Stuart writes: "It is such a muddy day that I refrain from visiting you because, I would dislike to appear in such an unpresentable a costume as the roads would give me. Nevertheless you may expect me soon rain or shine. Yours / J.E.B." The envelope [not present] was addressed to "Miss Laura Ratcliffe & Miss Antonia Ford, Frying Pan." The letter is in fine condition. Matted with a large image of Stuart and framed to an overall size of 19 x 22½".
Miss Ratcliffe was a young woman in Fairfax who was the recipient of romantic poems and letters from Stuart-- one of numerous young women whom Stuart pursued. Stuart told Miss Ratcliffe that he was smitten when he saw her ministering to wounded soldiers; the fact that she was said to be lovely surely didn't hurt. She provided military intelligence to Stuart and the Confederacy, especially to partisan commander John Singleton Mosby, to whom Stuart introduced her in 1863. Miss Ford was also a Southern sympathizer and a source of military intelligence.
The bulk of the Confederate Army in Northern Virginia spent the winter of 1861-62 in the Centreville, Virginia area. The weather was harsh, with rain, snow, sleet, mist, fog, and mud. The appearance Stuart liked to present--his gray uniform contrasted by a scarlet-lined cape, golden spurs on thigh-high boots, a bright yellow sash and white buckskin gauntlets, crowned by a hat with a long plume--would have suffered from the inclement weather, so as much as he loved the ladies, he did not want to venture out. Estimate Value $4,000 - UP
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| Realized $4,320 |
