But Stuart had won the greatest cavalry fight of the war.
IX.
MOHUN FAINTS AT THE RIGHT MOMENT.
In a room of the "Barbour House" on Fleetwood Hill, Stuart was writing
a dispatch to General Lee.
It was nearly sunset, and the red light was streaming through the
windows. On the floor lay a number of wounded men, groaning piteously.
Busily attending to their wants were two young girls--the daughters of
Judge Conway, whom I had seen on the night of the ball.
The young ladies, I afterward discovered, had been on a visit to the
family occupying the Barbour House; had courageously remained during
the whole of the battle--and they were now busily attending to the
wants of the wounded.
I was gazing at the eldest--the superb beauty with the disdainful eyes,
who had held that wit-combat with her circle of admirers--when Stuart
finished his dispatches, and turned around.
"Any reports?" he said briefly to a member of his staff.
"None, general--except that Colonel Mohun is reported killed."
"Mohun! It is impossible! He drove the enemy, and was unhurt. I would
not swap him for a hundred, nor a thousand of the enemy!"
"Thank you, general!" said a sonorous voice behind us.
And Mohun entered, making the military salute as he did so.
In his bearing I could discern the same cool pride, mingled with
satire.
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