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 6o CONFEDERATE PORTRAITS

to detect his habitual touch of humor : " The next morn- ing being the Sabbath, I recognized my obligation to do no duty other than what was absolutely necessary, and determined, so far as possible, to devote it to rest. Not so the enemy, whose guns about 8 A.M. showed that he would not observe it." ^^

I have no doubt that Stuart's religion was inward as well as outward and remoulded his heart. But, after all, he was but little over thirty when he died, and I love to trace in him the occasional working of the old Adam which had such lively play in the bosom of many an offi- cer who was unjustly blamed or missed some well-de- served promotion. Stuarf s own letters are too few to afford much insight of this kind. But here again we get that one-sided correspondence with Lee which is so teas- ingly suggestive. On one occasion Lee writes: *'The expression 'appropriated by the Stuart Horse Artillery' was not taken from a report of Colonel Baldwin, nor in- tended in any objectionable sense, but used for want of a better phrase, without any intention on my part of wounding." ^^ And again, after Chancellorsville : " As regards the closing remarks of your note, I am at a loss to understand their reference or to know what has given rise to them. In the management of the difficult opera- tions at Chancellorsville, which you so promptly under- took and creditably performed, I saw no errors to cor- rect, nor has there been a fit opportunity to commend your conduct. I prefer your acts to speak for themselves,

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