The Virginia Reel

General J.E.B. Stuart, Mrs. Flora Cooke Stuart, Lt. R. Channing Price,General Fitzhugh Lee, Captain W. W. Blackford, Major John Pelham, Captain James Breathed, Sam SweeneyChristmas Eve 1862 - near Moss Neck Virginia It was Christmas Eve of 1862. Rich golden sounds from a great tent echoed throughout the snowy covered hills of General J.E.B. Stuart's cavalry camp. Banjo player Sam Sweeney and his musicians were entertaining General Stuart and his staff members along with Stuart's wife Flora, other wives, and sweethearts. It was a night to remember with merriment, dancing, delicacies to eat such as chicken, turkey, hams, sweet potatoes, butter, 30 dozen eggs, apple brandy (saved for the occasion), whiskey, and a great bowl of egg nog. Dancing the Virginia Reel was a highlight of the celebration. However, General Robert E. Lee had given orders for a major raid by General Stuart's cavalry for Christmas Day. As the band played on, only General Stuart and a select number of officers knew the