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Freeman Marker at Dabbs House.
THE DABB HOUSE
GENERAL LEE'S HEADQUARTERS
In the residence at the end of this lane,
General R.E. Lee had headquarters from June 1
to June 26, 1862. Hither for conference came
Stonewall Jackson, Longstreet, Stuart, A.P. Hill,
D.H. Hill and other of his lieutenants. Here
the plan for the Seven Days' Campaign was drawn.
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... Returning to my command soon after, the prisoners, 165 in number,
were transferred to the proper authority; 260 horses and mules
captured, with more or less harness, were transferred to the quartermaster's
departments of the different regiments, and the commands were sent to
their respective camps. The number of captured arms has not been
as yet accurately ascertained.
A pole was broken, which obliged us to abandon a limber this side
of the Chickahominy.
The success attending this expedition will no doubt cause 10,000 or
15,000 men to be detached from the enemy's main body to guard his
communication, besides accomplishing the destruction of millions’ worth
of property and the interruption for a time of his railroad communication.
The three commanders (the two Lees and Martin) exhibited the
characteristics of skillful commanders, keeping their commands well in
hand and managing them with skill and good judgment, which proved
them worthy of a higher trust. Their brave men behaved with coolness
and intrepidity in danger, unswerving resolution before difficulties, and
stood unappalled before the rushjng torrent of the Chickahominy, with
the probability of an enemy at their heels armed with the fury of a
tigress robbed of her whelps.
The perfect order and systematic disposition for crossing maintained
throughout the passage insured its success and rendered it the
crowning feature of a successful expedition.
I hope, general, that your sense of delicacy, so manifest on former
occasions, will not prompt you to award to the two Lees (your son and
nephew) less than their full measure of praise. Embalmed in the hearts
and affections of their regiments; tried on many occasions requiring
coolness, decision, and bravery; everywhere present to animate, direct,
and control, they held their regiments in their grasp and proved
themselves brilliant cavalry leaders.
The discipline maintained by Lieutenant-Colonel Martin in his command
and referred to in his report is especially worthy of notice, as also
his reference to the energy displayed by First Lieut. James Breathed,
of the Stuart Horse Artillery.
I am most of all indebted to First Lieut. D. A. Timberlake, Corpl.
Turner Doswell, and Private J. A. Timberlake, Fourth Virginia Cavalry;
Second Lieut. Jones B. Christian and Private R. E. Frayser,
Third Virginia Cavalry, who were ever in advance, and without whose
thorough knowledge of the country and valuable assistance rendered I
could have effected nothing.
Asst. Surg. J. B. Fontaine, Fourth Virginia Cavalry (the enemy
giving him little to do in his profession), was bold and indefatigable in
reconnaissance, and was particularly active in his effort to complete
the bridge.
Capt. Heros von Borcke, a Prussian cavalry officer, who lately ran the
blockade, assigned me by the honorable Secretary of War, joined in the
charge of the First Squadron in gallant style, and subsequently, by his
energy, skill, and activity, won the praise and admiration of all.
To my staff present my thanks are especially due for the diligent
performance of the duties assigned them; they were as follows: First
Lieut. John Esten Cooke, ordnance officer, my principal staff officer for
the occasion; First Lieut. C. Dabney, aide-de-camp.
Rev. Mr. Landstreet, Captains Farley, Towles, Fitzhugh, and Mosby
rendered conspicuous and gallant service during the whole expedition.
My escort, under Corporal Hagan, are entitled individually to my
thanks for their zeal and devotion to duty, particularly Privates Carson,
of the Jeff. Davis Legion, and Pierson, of the Fourth Virginia Cavalry.
Herewith are submitted the reports of subordinate commanders,
marked A B and C and a map, D, showing my route, and papers, E containing
recommendations for promotion, and F, containing congratulatory orders
published to the command upon its return.
I have the honor to be, general, your most obedient servant,
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J. E. B. STUART,
Brigadier-General, Commanding Cavalry.
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General R. E. LEE,
Commanding Department Northern Virginia.
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