The troops were set to work fortifying their lines from the James to the Chickahominy, and up the latter stream to near Meadow Bridge.  Engineer corps were established, and large details from each regiment, almost one-third of the number, were put to work under the engineers strengthening their camps on scientific principles.  The troops thought they were to do their fighting behind these works, but strange to say, out of the hundred of fortifications built by Kershaw’s men during the war, not one ever fired a gun from behind them.

[Illustration:  Col.  William Wallace, 2d S.C.  Regiment. (Page 479)]

[Illustration:  Col.  Jno.  W. Henagan, 8th S.C.  Regiment, (Page 423)]

[Illustration:  Lieut.  Col.  A.J.  Hoole, 8th S.C.  Regiment.  (Page 284.)]

[Illustration:  John M. Kinard, Acting Lieut.  Col. 20 S.C.  Reg.  (Page 441.)]

On the 12th of June General Stuart started on his remarkable ride around the army of McClellan, and gained for himself the name of “Prince of Raiders.”  Starting out in the morning as if going away to our left at a leisurely gait, he rode as far as Hanover Court House.  Before daylight next morning his troopers sprang into their saddles and swept down the country between the Chickahominy and the Pamunkey Rivers like a thunderbolt, capturing pickets, driving in outposts, overturning wagon trains, and destroying everything with fire and sword.  He rides boldly across the enemy’s line of communications, coming up at nightfall at the Chickahominy, with the whole of McClellan’s army between him and Richmond.  In this ride he came in contact with his old regiment in the United States Army, capturing its wagon trains, one laden with the finest delicacies and choicest of wines.  After putting the enemy to rout Stuart and his men regaled themselves on these tempting viands, Stuart himself drinking a “bumper of choice old Burgundy,” sending word to his former comrades that he “was sorry they did not stay and join him, but as it was, he would drink their health in their absence.”  Finding the bridges destroyed, he built a temporary one, over which the men walked and swam their horses, holding on to the bridles.  When all were safely over Stuart sped like a whirlwind towards the James, leaving the enemy staring wildly in mute astonishment at the very audacity of his daring.  That night he returned to his camps, having made in thirty-six hours the entire circuit of the Federal Army.  Stuart was a rare character.  Light hearted, merry, and good natured, he was the very idol of his cavaliers.  His boldness, dash, and erratic mode of warfare made him a dreaded foe and dangerous enemy.  One moment he was in their camps, on the plains, shouting and slashing, and before the frightened sleepers could be brought to the realization of their situation, he was far over the foothills of the Blue Ridge or across the swift waters of the Rappahannock.