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Born on a plantation in Patrick County, Virginia in 1833, Stuart would attend Emory and Henry College from 1848 to 1850. On July 1st, 1850, Stuart entered West Point, and would graduate with the class of 1854. He would go on to become a first lieutenant in the United States Army 1st Cavalry, and a veteran of Indian fighting on the plains and of Bleeding Kansas. In 1859, Stuart carried orders for Robert E. Lee to proceed to Harpers Ferry to crush John BrownJohn Brown ( May 9, 1800 December 2, 1859) was an extremist abolitionist who led the raid on Harpers Ferry and whose defeat, trial, and execution helped set the stage for the U. He was married to Dianthe Lusk and to Mary Ann Day Brown. Early years John Br's raid. Stuart volunteered to be Lee's aide-de-camp, and read the ultimatum to Brown before the final assault. Promoted to captain on April 22April 22 is the 112th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (113th in leap years). There are 253 days remaining. Events 1500 Portuguese navigator Pedro Alvares Cabral becomes the first European to sight Brazil. 1509 Henry VIII ascends to the throne of, 18611861 is a common year starting on Tuesday. Events January January 1 Benito Juarez captures Mexico City January 2 Friedrich Wilhelm IV of Prussia dies and is succeeded by Wilhelm I January 3 American Civil War: Delaware votes not to secede from the United, Stuart resigned from the US Army on May 14May 14 is the 134th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (135th in leap years). There are 231 days remaining. Events 1264 Battle of Lewes: Henry III of England is captured in France making Simon de Montfort the de facto ruler of England. 1483 Coronat, 18611861 is a common year starting on Tuesday. Events January January 1 Benito Juarez captures Mexico City January 2 Friedrich Wilhelm IV of Prussia dies and is succeeded by Wilhelm I January 3 American Civil War: Delaware votes not to secede from the United to join the Confederate Army.
His later appointments included:
His commands in the Army of Northern Virginia included:
After early service in the Shenandoah Valley, Stuart led his regiment in the First Bull Run and participated in the pursuit of the routed Federals. He then directed the army's outposts until given command of the cavalry brigade. He led the cavalry in the Army of Northern Virginia at
Stuart was also a raider. Twice he slipped around McClellan's army, once in the Peninsula Campaign and once after the Battle of Antietam. While these exploits were not militarily significant, they improved Southern morale. During the Second Bull Run Campaign, he lost his signature plumed hat and cloak to pursuing Federals, but in a later raid, managed to overrun Union army commander John Pope's headquarters and not only captured his full uniform but also intercepted orders that provided Lee with much valuable intelligence. At the end of 1862, Stuart led a raid north of the Rappahannock River, inflicting some 230 casualties while losing only 27 of his own men.
The following May at the Battle of Chancellorsville, Stuart was appointed by Lee to take command of the 2nd Army Corps for a few days after Stonewall Jackson had been wounded. Returning to the cavalry, he commanded the Southern horsemen at Brandy Station, the largest cavalry engagement on the American continent, on June 9, 1863. Although the battle was a draw, the Confederates did hold the field. However, the fight represented the rise of the Union cavalry and foreshadowed the decline of the formerly invincible Southern mounted arm. During the Gettysburg Campaign, Stuart, acting under ambiguous orders, again circled the Union army, but in the process deprived Lee of his eyes and ears while in enemy territory. Arriving late on the second day of the battle, Stuart failed the next day to get into the enemy's rear flank, being defeated by Generals Gregg and Custer.
During Grant's drive on Richmond in the spring of 1864, Stuart halted Sheridan's cavalry at Yellow Tavern on the outskirts of Richmond on May 11. A Union sharpshooter (at a distance of thirty feet) shot him; he died the next day in the rebel capital. He is buried in Hollywood Cemetery there.
Like his intimate friend, Stonewall Jackson, General Stuart was a legendary figure, ranking as one of the greatest cavalry commanders of all time. Stuart was a son-in-law of Brigadier General Philip St. George Cooke of the Federal service; his wife's brother was Brigadier General John Rogers Cooke of the Confederacy.
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