Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 08.djvu/455

Rh and, strongly reinforced, would be ready to dispute his return. Hard fighting and perhaps serious loss would surely await him at Hanover Court-house. With quick determination he decided to pass entirely around the Federal army, trusting that he would be able to cross the Chickahominy below the enemy's left, before troops could be collected and sent in pursuit. Stuart says in his report: "In a brief and frank interview with some of my officers I disclosed my views; but while none accorded a full assent, all assured me a hearty support in whatever I did. With an abiding trust in God, and with such guarantees of success as the two Lees and Martin and their devoted followers, I regarded this enterprise as most promising. *   *   *  There was something of the sublime in the implicit confidence and unquestioning trust of the rank and file in a leader guiding them apparently into the very jaws of the enemy, every step appearing to them to diminish the faintest hope of extrication."

Stuart reached Tunstall's station on the York River railroad by dark. A detachment sent to the Pamunky river burned two transports loaded with stores and a train of wagons. At Tunstall's great quantities of provisions and many wagons were captured and burned, and the railroad bridge over Black creek was destroyed. For miles around the country was illuminated by these hilarious cavalrymen. Having thoroughly completed this work, Stuart pushed on to Talleysville, and by daylight had reached Forge bridge over the Chickahominy. Another difficulty now presented itself. The stream was past fording and the bridge destroyed. But a few hours work produced a frail structure over which the artillery could cross, and by one o'clock in the afternoon the whole command was safe from molestation. Stuart brought back with him 165 prisoners, and 260 captured mules and horses. He lost but one man, the lamented Captain Latané. A broken pole compelled the abandonment of a limber chest on the upper side of the Chickahominy.

The results of this expedition were most important and satisfactory. Within a few days Stuart with his cavalry conducted Jackson's corps over the same route to McClellan's rear, and on the 27th the crushing defeat of the Federal right wing was consummated at Cold Harbor. Aside from these strategic considerations the influence of this expedition on the morale not only of the cavalry but of the whole army was most important; and we have the authority of the Count of Paris for the statement that by it the confidence of the north in McClellan was shaken. In after days we became more accustomed to the eccentric movements of large bodies of cavalry, and had ofttimes to lament that