Raynors 2020-05 Putnal
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/30/2020
STUART, James Ewell Brown "Jeb" Stuart (1833-1864) was a United States Army officer from Virginia who became a Confederate States Army general during the American Civil War. He was known to his friends as "Jeb", from the initials of his given names. Stuart was a cavalry commander known for his mastery of reconnaissance and the use of cavalry in support of offensive operations. While he cultivated a cavalier image (red-lined gray cape, yellow sash, hat cocked to the side with an ostrich plume, red flower in his lapel, often sporting cologne), his serious work made him the trusted eyes and ears of Robert E. Lee's army and inspired Southern morale. War-date Confederate general Autograph Letter Signed "J.E.B. Stuart, M.G." on bottom portion of a two page official copy of General Robert E. Lee letter to General "Grumble" Jones, February 14, 1863, and Stuart writes "Some hard bread has been ordered to you to Staunton. Get everything ready, but by all means, keep the matter secret & prevent any information reaching the enemy. I shall be with you in about a week, ostensibly for review." Lee's letter transcribed by Maj. C.S. Venable, is dated February 13, 1863, and reads in part: "...I have determined to take advantage of the present time to endeavor to restrict Gen. Milroy's possession of the Valley if he cannot be otherwise disturbed. I have accordingly directed Gen. Stuart with select detachments from Hampton's & Fitz Lee's Brigades to cross the Blue Ridge...I desire you with your whole available force to be in readiness to join him. As I cannot now detach my infantry from the Army, it is unifed by a combination of the cavalry with your command that the enemy's communication with the R.Road & his depot of supplies may be cut off if not destroyed. We shall at least gain information of his strength in the Valley & of his stability of his troops & be better prepared to correct weakness against him at a more opportune period. I hope too, some material injury can be inflicted on him. I have to request that you will prepare provisions for your command, get down the troops that may be available from Col. Davidson & Gen. Imboden & be ready to unit with Gen. Stuart at the time & place he may appoint. I have suggested to Gen. Stuart that after putting the cavalry East of the Mtns. in motion, he proceed in person to New Market or some other point in the Valley where he can join & confer with you..." More. Small paper loss at top right corner does not detract from letter, else near fine condition. The Jones-Imboden Raid was a Confederate military action conducted in western Virginia (now the state of West Virginia) in April and May 1863 during the American Civil War. The raid, led by Brig. Gens. William E. Jones and John D. Imboden, was aimed at disrupting traffic on the vital Baltimore and Ohio Railroad and reasserting Confederate authority in transmountain Virginia in an effort to derail the growing statehood movement in the region, since voters had in March approved a new Constitution and statehood only awaited Congressional and Presidential approval. Raiders claimed success from a military vantage, since they severely damaged several railroad bridges (though not the two most critical), as well as an oil field and other critical Union resources. Raiders also captured valuable supplies and gained recruits. From a political standpoint, however, the raid failed, for it had little effect on pro-statehood sentiment, and West Virginia was admitted as the 35th state of the Union in June.
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