Southern Historical Society Papers, Volume 9.
Reverend J. William Jones, Ed.

Stuart's last dispatch.

Remembering that he was confronting overwhelming odds, and was about to lay down that very evening his noble life, this dispatch, which has never before been in print, will have a sad interest and will be recognized by those who knew him, as having the clarion ring which always characterized the dispatches of this glorious cavalryman; of whom it has been truly said that he never believed he could be whipped, and could never bring himself to acknowledge that he had been defeated:

No. 4.

Headquarters near half sink bridge, May 11th, 3 o'clock P. M., 1864.
To General Bragg:

General,--The enemy now has the Yellow Tavern and hold the Old Mountain road for some distance above, having formed his column between Fredericksburg railroad and that road. General Gordon is one-and-a-half miles south of Chiles's Tavern, on that road, and informs me that all the enemy's cavalry are massed here, none having gone towards James river. Now, General, if we can make a combined attack on them with Hunton's brigade I cannot see how they can escape. I have attacked once and feel confident of success. They drove our extreme left back a little, but we have been driving their rear and left. As soon as Gordon joins my right I will try them again, and expect to get so as to command the intersection. There is a road, however, coming in just by Delaplaine's, in sight of Yellow Tavern, from which the enemy can move [139] towards “Meadow bridge,” which, however, I hear is burned. I keep my artillery bearing on a dust near Yellow Tavern. The enemy fights entirely as infantry to-day — though yesterday we got in with sabres with good execution. I am glad to report enemy's killed large in proportion.

Most respectfully,

J. E. B. Stuart, Major-General.

The enemy may yet turn toward James river.

J. E. B. S.