"Beauty Stuart": too brave to live.
(J.E.B. Stuart: (K.I.A.) May 10, 1864)
Published in "LOVE / WAR - Remembering and Letting Go", February 2007
Copyright © 1992,2007
Jason Lester Atkins
985 Fleet Drive, #347
Virginia Beach, VA 23454
All Rights Reserved.
It started with a single shot.
As soon as daylight came
The groundfog seethed with missiles,
Men cursed and screamed,
Cavalry horses shuddered and panicked.
An incoming round lifted me
Out of the saddle like a twig.
I watched my wounded horse drop.
Minus one of its forelegs;
Watched it struggle to its feet,
Hobbling back to its post in battle.
I tried to pray myself to sleep.
We were but wild boys,
Catching one day's sun in early flight,
Our very small beginnings,
Often produced a mighty end.
Those glories of our blood and states,
Were shadows from the grave that waits,
And I, Stuart, pass into you ear
My soul's soft surprise of power:
Power to walk again
Among the silent hills of Patrick.
So, on that day, I prayed,
"Tell Mama I am coming home."
Some Information About the Above Poem
J(ames) E(well) B(rown) Stuart (1833-1864)
(West Point 1854 - Brig. Gen. 1861 - Major Gen. 1862)
Born in Patrick Co., VA - killed in action May 10, 1864.
Wore yellow scarf and black plume in his Calvary hat.
Called "Beauty Stuart" by his troopers - as he
rode recklessly ahead of his lines in many battles
with utter disregard of personal safety. Died singing
first two lines of hymn, "Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me" - - Age 31 years.
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