The manuscripts collection at the Library of Virginia in Richmond has the reminiscences (call #22995) of Richard Byrd Kennon of the 4th and 11th Virginia Cavalry. Born on 10 November 1835 in Norfolk, Kennon died on 14 December 1892 at his home "Pea Hill" in Brunswick county, and he was buried at St. Luke's Episcopal churchyard just across the North Carolina border in Northampton county. During the summer 1863 campaign, Kennon served as a special courier to General Stuart and he writes of being tasked by Stuart to find an alternative point for crossing the Potomac on their northward advance. Kennon tried a ford at night, but the crossing proved too dangerous and his horse was disabled in the process. Returning to the south bank after resting awhile on a rock outcropping in the river, Kennon found a lone horseman waiting for him, and it proved to be General Stuart himself, who had been observing all along and had feared for Kennon's safe return. Stuart promised to promote Kennon to Major. This touching incident illustrates Stuart's concern for his men. Kennon was delayed a short time but caught up with Stuart at Rockville, Maryland "in the middle of the afternoon," where he received his promotion certificate. Another interesting portion of the account tells of the complex relationship between Kennon and his black servant, Stirling. Kennon was compelled to swap horses with Stirling, who seemed very disappointed at not being able to go north with Kennon. Stirling always managed to locate good provisions for the two of them and Kennon never inquired about his foraging techniques. For example, after Kennon's hard river ride, Stirling produced some good food and a small bottle with a little whiskey. Kennon wrote that he always thought of Stirling "more as a friend than a servant" and noted that "twice during the war he [Stirling] saved my life" -- once when Kennon fell gravely ill. War's conclusion did not end their relationship. Following the war, Stirling and his wife "Mammy Dinah" (to whom Kennon's wife had been very attached) lived near Powhatan, Virginia. Dinah opened a restaurant on court days [at Powhatan Court House]. Kennon writes that Stirling was occasionally locked up by the constable after imbibing a little too freely, when he would curse the Yankees. Kennon or his brother-in-law would pay the fine to have him released.