Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Stuart, Jeb, 1833-1864 to Flora Cooke Stuart

Order a pdf of this item here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02334.02 Author/Creator: Stuart, Jeb, 1833-1864 Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 16 April 1864 Pagination: 4 p. : Height: 20.6 cm, Width: 25.6 cm Order a Copy

Stuart, Commander of Cavalry Corps, Army of North Virginia, writes to his wife from Wigwam (possibly in Virginia). Mentions mutual acquaintances and family members. Took a moonlight ride with Fontaine and Garnett (possibly Colonel Edmond Fontaine and Stuart's aide-de-camp, Theodore Stanford Garnett). Encourages his wife not to worry. Discusses a group of young girls, possibly family, who will soon visit Mrs. Stuart: "...do not interfere with the girls, they are old enough and pretty enough to take care of themselves... I think you judge the girls too harshly." Transmits a letter from Flora's sister Ellen, and a report from General Robert E. Lee (neither letter nor report is included). Signs once, and includes initials following a post script. Implies that Mrs. Stuart is staying near Beaver Dam, Virginia (possibly at the home of Colonel Fontaine).

Stuart, Jeb, 1833-1864
Stuart, Flora Cooke, 1836-1923
Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870
Garnett, Theodore Stanford, 1844-1915
Fontaine, Edmund, fl. 1864

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources