Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 08.djvu/446

434 He said that the Association had hitherto been very fortunate in its annual orators, and that he felt sure they were peculiarly fortunate on the present occasion. He had the honor of presenting as the orator of the evening a gentleman distinguished alike in war and in letters. He was fortunate, also, in the selection of his theme, since he was to speak of the life and character of the great cavalry chief on whose staff he had personally served, and with whom he had witnessed and participated in the great battles of the Army of Northern Virginia.

It gave him great pleasure to be able to introduce as orator of the evening,, late A. A. G. of the Cavalry Corps A. N. V., now president of Sayre Female College, Lexington Kentucky.

Major McClellan was greeted with loud applause, which was frequently repeated as he proceeded to deliver in graceful style the following

''Mr. President, Comrades, Ladies and Gentlemen:''

I am honored in being permitted again to stand upon the soil of Old Virginia. My spirit has been stirred to its depths as I have received the greetings of comrades with whom I have stood side by side in the day of battle; and, as I look into your faces, I can but wish that I were worthy to present my subject. Bear with me while I attempt to speak to you of one whom even Virginia may be proud to enroll among her noblest heroes.

James Ewell Brown Stuart was born in Patrick county, Va., on the 6th day of February, 1833. He died in Richmond, Va., on the 12th of May, 1864, of a wound received the day previous at the Yellow Tavern. His age at his death was 31 years 3 months and 6 days.

Through five generations his ancestry is traced back to Archibald Stuart, Sr., a native of Londonderry, Ireland, but of Scotch Presbyterian parentage, who, early in the eighteenth century, was compelled by religious persecution to seek refuge in Western Pennsylvania. Here he remained in seclusion for nearly seven years before his family could venture to join him. Removing to Augusta county, Va., about 1738, Archibald Stuart, Sr., acquired large landed estates, which he divided between his four children.

His second son, and third child, Major Alexander Stuart, was, early in the Revolutionary War, commissioned major of the regiment commanded by Colonel Samuel McDowell; and, during Colonel McDowell's