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 read the whole of the Prussian colonel Scheibert's ac- count of Stuart's thorough planning, his careful calcula- tion, his exact methods of procedure. ** Before Stuart undertook any movement, he spared nothing in the way of preparation which might make it succeed. He in- formed himself as exactly as possible by scouts and spies, himself reconnoitred with his staff, often far be- yond the outposts, had his engineer officers constantly fill out and improve the rather inadequate maps and as- certain the practicability of roads, fords, etc. In short, he omitted no precaution and spared no pains or effort to secure the best possible results for such undertakings as he planned ; therefore he was in the saddle almost as long again as his men." 26 Similar testimony can be gathered incidentally everywhere in Stuart's letters and reports, proving that he was no chance roamer, but went where he planned to go and came back when he intended. For instance, he writes of the Peninsular oper- ations : *' It is proper to remark here that the com- manding general had, on the occasion of my late expe- dition to the Pamunkey, imparted to me his design of bringing Jackson down upon the enemy's right flank and rear, and directed that I should examine the country with reference to its practicability for such a movement. I therefore had studied the features of the country very thoroughly and knew exactly how to conform my move-

On the strength of these larger military qualities it has

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