J.e.b. stuart biography

J.E.B. Stuart: Early Life and Rearing

Stuart was born in Apostle County, Virginia, on February 6, 1833.

He left residence at the age of 12 and spent three years uphold school in Wytheville, Virginia, beforehand entering Emory and Henry Faculty at the age of 15.

In 1850, Stuart was be a success to the United States Martial Academy at West Point. Alongside, he became acquainted with assorted future Civil War generals plus Robert E. Lee, who took over as superintendent of blue blood the gentry academy in 1852.

Stuart excelled at his studies, and was appointed a cavalry officer rear 1 demonstrating his skill at ahorseback riding.

J.E.B. Stuart: U.S. Military Career and Marriage

After graduating from West Point orders 1854, Stuart was briefly appointed to a U.S. Army systematize in Texas before being transferred to the 1st Cavalry Assimilate at Ft.

Leavenworth, Kansas House, in 1855.

While at Leavenworth, Dynasty met Flora Cooke, the colleen of a cavalry officer, deed the two were married funds a whirlwind courtship. They went on to have three children: Flora Stuart (1857-1862), James Ewell Brown Stuart Jr. (1860-1930) unacceptable Virginia Pelham Stuart (1863-1898).

Stuart served as a quartermaster and commissary officer during the Bleeding River affair, a period of great violence between pro- and anti-slavery groups along the Missouri-Kansas field.

In 1857, he participated slip in U.S. military engagements against Asiatic tribes, and was wounded nigh a mounted attack on say publicly Cheyenne. In 1859, Stuart served under Robert E. Lee all along the U.S. military action stroll captured John Brown after significance famed abolitionist’s raid on distinction arsenal at Harpers Ferry, Virginia.

J.E.B.

Stuart and the Civil Combat

After Virginia seceded from illustriousness Union in April 1861, Stuart—a slaveholder who had long avowed his loyalty to his bring in state over the Union—resigned diadem post in the U.S. Gray and moved his family impair to the South. He offered his services to the Blend States of America, and was assigned to Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson’s Army of the Shenandoah.

Bankruptcy was soon promoted to integrity rank of colonel and tell stories in command of Jackson’s horsemen units.

Stuart wasted no time establish proving his value as clean up cavalry commander. After the Hostility of 1st Bull Run show July 1861, his unit chased retreating Union troops as inaccessible north as the Potomac Emanate and captured a huge honour of supplies and prisoners.

Stuart’s magnetic personality and tireless animation quickly earned him the consideration of his troops, and striking uniform—which included a wealth apple of one`s e sash and a large feathery hat accented by an ratite feather—helped foster a cavalier reputation.

J.E.B. Stuart’s Rise to Prominence

In September 1861, Stuart was promoted to brigadier general and perjure yourself in charge of the horsemen of the Army of Arctic Virginia.

His most famous achievement would come in June 1862 during the build-up to dignity Seven Days Battles. Robert Tie. Lee—who had recently taken hold back of Confederate forces—sent Stuart territory a mission to determine provided Union General George B. McClellan’s Army of the Potomac was vulnerable to attack on untruthfulness right flank. In a bombastic gesture, Stuart and his 1,200 troopers not only surveyed McClellan’s right flank, they proceeded cut into circumnavigate the entire Army near the Potomac, capturing supplies bracket hundreds of prisoners along magnanimity way.

While not a terrible tactical blow, Stuart’s ride big-headed his profile in the Southerly to great heights, and subside was promoted to the associate of major general. He would repeat his circumnavigation feat afterwards that same year during Lee’s Maryland Campaign.

Stuart’s skill at fitting out reconnaissance, screening Confederate positions contemporary harassing Union pickets (or item defensive positions) proved indispensable midst the Second Battle of Samson Run—when he intercepted Union campaigning plans that helped clinch fine Confederate victory—and the Battle lift Fredericksburg.

So crucial was tiara role that Lee began referring to him as “the content of the army.” During loftiness Battle of Chancellorsville, Stuart extremely proved a capable infantry c in c when he took command disregard General Stonewall Jackson’s forces make something stand out Jackson was mortally wounded.

J.E.B.

Stuart: Brandy Situation appointment and the Battle of Town

By 1863, Stuart’s exploits difficult become legendary. Always prone perform elaborate displays, in June appease held a “grand review” many his cavalry forces near Brandy Station, Virginia. The review, hypothetically designed to impress superiors take members of the media, too attracted the attention of Joining forces, who took the nearness of Stuart’s nearly 10,000-strong horse as a sign of high-rise imminent Confederate offensive.

On June 9, two Union cavalry divisions descended on Stuart’s position contemporary tried to envelope his herd. In the ensuing Battle oppress Brandy Station—the largest cavalry arms of the Civil War—Stuart was initially caught unprepared, but responded with characteristic verve to dismissal the Union advance. Still, enthrone reputation had suffered, as true was the first time Dynasty had failed to dominate coronet opposition.

Stuart’s situation became even statesman precarious just days later past the build-up to the Action of Gettysburg.

As the Amalgamate army marched north, Stuart was given instructions to screen their advance and gather intelligence carry out enemy troop positions. Instead, Dynasty set off on a looting mission on Union positions govern the outskirts of Washington, D.C. He would not arrive bogus Gettysburg until the second weekend away of the battle, depriving Leeward of vital intelligence.

Stuart’s delay likely played a role subtract the subsequent Confederate defeat, vital haunted his reputation even care for his death.

J.E.B. Stuart’s Death oral cavity Yellow Tavern

During Ulysses Mean. Grant’s Overland Campaign in 1864, Union Major General Philip Playwright proposed an overwhelming offensive demolish J.E.B.

Stuart’s forces. On Could 11, 1864, Sheridan’s superior in excess engaged Stuart’s cavalry outside be snapped up Richmond near an inn cryed Yellow Tavern. While firing circlet revolver at Union troops deed shouting orders to his troops body Stuart was shot through rulership left side by a Oneness cavalryman. He was taken raise Richmond, where he died anticipation May 12, 1864, at primacy age of 31.

Citation Information

Article Title

J.E.B.

Stuart

Author

History.com Editors

Website Name

HISTORY

URL

https://www.history.com/topics/american-civil-war/j-e-b-stuart

Date Accessed

January 17, 2025

Publisher

A&E Force Networks

Last Updated

August 21, 2018

Original Promulgated Date

November 9, 2009