Philip St George Cooke, Famous Men Silent Women

1861 Sept 24 Jeb Stuart, whose star rose as Philip St. George Cooke's descended, was promoted to brigadier general in the Confederate Army at the age of 28 which made him one of the youngest generals in the Civil War. During this month Flora was at Fairfax Court House and saw her husband on a daily basis. Although she was never heard to complain, Captain Charles M. Blackford wrote: "She was always in tears when she heard firing knowing that her husband [as well as her brother, father, cousin] was in the midst of it. Her distressed look showed the constant anxiety she must suffer". She did not remain long at the front for Stuart's duties rapidly increased and in October he was in command of the advanced forces.
Jeb Stuart The Last Cavalier by Burke Davis p. 74

1861 Oct 18 Jeb advised Flora to take the children to Orange Court House or elsewhere to avoid epidemics of scarlet fever, mumps, whooping cough. At this time Jeb owed money to relatives including Dr. Charles Brewer. Inflation and rising prices were beginning to affect the South.

1861 Nov 1 Cooke's Cavalry Tactics was approved by President Lincoln and published for the use of the service.

1861 Nov 12 Death of Catherine Wilt Hertzog, in Collinsville Illinois where she was living with her daughter Elizabeth. There is a good chance that Rachel and Julia were also with her when she died. She is buried at Glenwood Cemetery next to her husband in the Collins Lot.

1861 Nov 12 Philip St. George Cooke arrived in Washington after his long march from Utah. He retired as 3rd Colonel of the 2nd Armored Calvary Regiment and was commissioned brigadier general in the regular army in charge of a brigade of cavalry volunteers at Washington. Cooke's headquarters during the war were at the Mansion House, Alexandria Virginia. Presumably Rachel and Julia lived there periodically as well.

Agnes Salm Salm wrote: "Washington resembled a very big village, and Pennsylvania Avenue, the principal street...was still in possession of pigs and cattle, which during the night slept on the sidewalks, even near Lafayette Square, opposite the White House, 'Father Abraham's' residence.' .... There were before the White House no sentinels, not even a porter, everybody could enter the residence of the nation...There was no particular dress required, and soldiers coming directly from the camp in their cloaks went simply in and shook hands with their highest chief."...And of the grand cavalry review she wrote: "A pitiful affair...The poor fellows did not know whether their horses or their swords were more in their way, and I saw them fall from their saddles even at a walking pace." This then was the Washington of Philip St. George Cooke's day, and the cavalry that he needed to whip into shape.

"Prince Salm-Salm, was a monocled Prussian cavalry officer of 30 who spoke no English. When he was taken to see President Lincoln, and someone revealed he was a prince, Lincoln slapped him on the back and said 'That won't hurt you with us.'" - Burke Davis - The Civil War Strange and Fascinating Facts.