Beschreibung:

CIVIL WAR]. STUART, J.E.B. Two autograph letters, one signed ("S"), to Miss Laura Ratcliffe, "Camp Laura" and Rappahanock, 17 March 1862 and 8 April 1862. Together 7pp., 8vo, small chip along lower edge of one letter . "WE ARE BOUND TO WHIP THE YANKEES THIS TIME WORSE THAN EVER...IT WILL NOT BE MANY MONTHS BEFORE I LEAD THE TRIUMPHANT ADVANCE INTO PENNSYLVANIA." Two romantic, chivalrous letters to a young Confederate lady. They also speak strongly of Stuart's contempt for "our enemies," mention several Confederate victories, and even, in April 1862, have Stuart eagerly anticipating the invasion of Pennsylvania. The 17 March 1862 letter, addressed from "Camp Laura" is a lengthy diatribe against the "Yankees" as well as a romantic expression of affection for Miss Ratcliffe: "Our enemies are playing a good game pretending to restore instead of destroying as we do; and I have no doubt we have plenty silly enough to put confidence in their fair promises and soft whining speeches. Will my Laura regard such ? Can her faithful heart be turned? Something whispers ' no never .' I hope you will give the Yankees a wide berth and only use the list I gave you in case you got into any serious trouble & required protection. I have no friends on the Yankee side. The enemies of my country are my enemies and I feel assured are also my Laura's enemies." He mentions several officers known to Ratcliffe. All are in "fighting trim," he says, and "we are bound to whip the Yankees this time worse than ever and it will not be many months before I lead the triumphant advance into Pennsylvania. Let me caution you in the meantime to be prepared for the most outrageous slanders on us and our cause. Turn a deaf ear to all accounts and keep an abiding faith in the justness of our cause and the help of God." He then mentions the "glorious naval success at Norfolk," where three Yankee ships were sunk or disabled. "It was all done by the Merrimac whose name is changed to Virginia . He finishes with a chivalrous flow of romantic sentiment for Miss Ratcliffe: "Will you forget me ? I am vain enough Laura to be flattered with the hope that...your regard, which I so dearly prize , will not wane with yon moon that saw our last parting but endure to the end...." He leaves the letter deliberately and teasingly unsigned: "You will no doubt get this tomorrow. Can you guess who wrote this? I'll let you try. Good bye." Writing on 8 April from the Rappahanock, just before the fateful campaigning of spring and summer 1862, Stuart is almost carried away by what he sees as the sure success of Confederate arms: "We are here quietly waiting for the Yankees and if they ever come we will send them howling through Fairfax again. We have won a glorious victory in New Mexico, capturing the whole Federal command, 5,000 under Genl. Canby. We have also won a glorious victory near Corinth on the Tenn. [Shiloh] Captured 3 Genls. Smith, McClernand & Prentiss, & six thousand prisoners, all their artillery & camp equipage & rumor say we are sure to bag the remainder who are in full retreat. A. S. Johnston was killed. Beauregard and Bragg were there. I have thought of you much, & hope soon to see you all again. Before another week we expect to win another victory. Hurrah! Hurrah!! I wish I could see you read this." Together 2 items . (2)