When Jemmy Stuart showed guests around Laurel Hill, his parents' farm in southwestern Virginia, there were always two places that he showed them.

One was the stable where the Stuarts kept their horses. The other was the garden, with its neat hedges, shrubs and flowers. Jemmy loved horses and flowers more than anything else.

Once Jemmy's father bought a beautiful new horse from one of his neighbors. As he was bringing the horse home, it fell on a sharp rock and cut its leg badly. Everyone believed that the horse would have to be killed—everyone, that is, except Jemmy. He practically lived in the stable and nursed the horse, which he decided to call Bayberry, back to health.

Later Mr. Stuart gave Bayberry to Jemmy as a surprise birthday present. From then on, Jemmy rode Bayberry everywhere he went in the community.

Young Jemmy was a fighter for things that he thought were right. Once a much larger boy found this out when he came for a visit. He discovered that Jemmy would fight almost anyone who insulted him regardless of size.

As a boy Jemmy demonstrated great bravery. He often did things that other boys were afraid to do. Once he climbed a tree to knock down a hornets' nest, even though he was certain to be stung.

Jemmy always had a way of making people happy. He liked to mingle with them and take an active part in whatever they were doing. His brother Alec once said to him, "Wherever you go, you stir up some kind of adventure that makes everybody admire you. You always have." He might have added, "You always will," for that was the kind of man Jemmy became.

Even during the grim days of the war, Jemmy, the General Jeb Stuart, worked hard to keep his men happy and gay. Frequently he sang to them around the campfire or joined others in singing as someone played the banjo. At times he danced for their entertainment, and always he laughed and joked.

Jeb Stuart possessed real qualities of leadership. He was unselfish—always eager to do something for others. His men loved him and were willing to follow him, even into areas of grave danger.

Gertrude Hecker Winders has told this story of Jemmy Stuart in words almost as colorful as Jeb Stuart himself. In the same colorful manner she has written several other volumes in the Childhood of Famous Americans Series. All her books are genuine favorites with children.

From the dust jacket