That action was fought by Fitz Lee's division
of 2,400 men all told. But the men and officers were brave beyond
words; the incentive to daring resistance was enormous; they would do
all that could be done.
Such was the situation of affairs on the 9th of May, 1864.
Stuart set out at full gallop on his iron gray, from Spottsylvania
Court-House, about three o'clock in the day, and reached Chilesburg,
toward Hanover Junction, just as night fell.
Here we found General Fitz Lee engaged in a hot skirmish with the
enemy's rear-guard; and that night Stuart planned an attack upon their
camp, but abandoned the idea.
His spirits at this time were excellent, but it was easy to see that he
realized the immense importance of checking the enemy.
An officer said in his presence:--
"We won't be able to stop Sheridan."
Stuart turned at those words; his cheeks flushed; his eyes flamed, and
he said:--
"No, sir! I'd rather die than let him go on!"[1]
[Footnote 1: His words]
On the next morning, he moved in the direction of Hanover Junction;
riding boot to boot with his friend General Fitz Lee. I had never seen
him more joyous. Some events engrave themselves forever on the memory.
That ride of May 10th, 1864, was one of them.
Have human beings a presentiment, ever, at the near approach of death?
Does the shadow of the unseen hand ever reveal itself to the eye? I
know not, but I know that no such presentiment came to Stuart; no
shadow of the coming event darkened the path of the great cavalier.
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