But Stuart merely smiled kindly and sent him with another message.
When Grant reached Spotsylvania Courthouse, he decided to send a corps of cavalry forward on a raid toward Richmond. This force was to cut Lee’s communication, take Richmond, and be in position to attack the rear of Lee’s army after Grant crushed him at Spotsylvania. General Sheridan commanded these troops that started for Richmond, along the Telegraph Road.
General Fitz Lee who saw them, says: “Ten thousand horsemen riding in a single road in column of fours made a column thirteen miles in length; and with flashing sabers and fluttering guidons were an imposing array.”
To contend with this force, Stuart had only three small brigades, yet on him depended the safety of Richmond and the protection of the rear of Lee’s army. At Jarrold’s Mill, Wickham’s brigade had a sharp skirmish with Sheridan’s rear guard and captured a number of prisoners. Yet on and on marched Sheridan, leaving the Telegraph Road, and going toward Beaver Dam Station. At Mitchell’s Shop, Sheridan’s rear guard having been reenforced, made another stand. Wickham attacked again, but would have been forced back by the greatly-superior numbers of the Federals had not Stuart and Fitz Lee come up with reenforcements and the Federals passed on.
At Beaver Dam Station, Stuart left his command a short while to see if his wife and children, who were near by at the home of Mr. Edmund Fontaine, had escaped annoyance from the Federals. Having found them safe and well, he pressed on toward Hanover Junction to place his forces between Sheridan and Richmond.
Hanover Junction was reached after dark and Stuart proposed an all-night march. Fitz Lee’s men, however, were worn out with fighting and marching and, at the request of their commander, Stuart at last consented that the troopers should rest until one o’clock. He directed that his trusted adjutant, Major McClellan, should remain awake to arouse the sleeping men, and to see them mounted and on the march at the time mentioned.
Major McClellan in his _Life of Stuart_, says: “When the troops had moved out, I returned to Stuart and awoke him and his staff. While they were preparing to move, I lay down to catch, if possible, a few moments’ rest. The party rode off as I lay in a half-conscious condition, and I heard some one say, ‘General, here’s McClellan fast asleep. Must I wake him?’ ‘No’ he replied, ‘he has been watching while we were asleep. Leave a courier with him and tell him to come on when his nap is out.’”