It was at an all-time high. Over the past two years, Stuart had risen from lieutenant-colonel to major-general, and he was now the commander of all the cavalry on the Eastern front. There were those who criticized Stuart, on occasion, claiming he was too flamboyant, but everyone knew that Stuart had General Lee’s trust, and that was enough for them. Stuart was feted on June 8, 1863, when hundreds of locals showed up to give parties for his men. At one point, a woman placed a laurel wreath around the neck of Stuart’s horse, and Lee—who was standing nearby—jokingly warned Stuart, saying that Northern women had done the same for General Pope’s horse just before the Second Battle of Bull Run.