1863 January 12 Headqr's Cav. Div.

                              Headqr's Cav. Div.
                                    12 Jan 1863

Captain,
                   Gen. Stuart requests that you
will send young Stephen Dandridge, to his
headquarters this evening, as his father is
here, and is very anxious to see him
before returning to the Valley
                   Very Respy
                         Your obt. servt.
                                Jno. Esten Cooke
                        Capt. Art. &c
Capt. Poague, or
Officer Com'dg Poague's Battery


John Esten Cooke, 1830-1886, was a first cousin of Jeb Stuart's wife Flora Cooke, and served on the General's staff, and after Stuart's death, with several others.  A noted author he wrote biographies of both Lee and Jackson and romantic fiction glorifying the "Lost Cause"  including the popular "Surry of Eagle's nest."

MSS 5295-h