James Ewell Brown (JEB) Stuart (February 6, 1833 - May 12, 1864) was born to lead cavalry. His lavish decor belied the seriousness of Stuart's skill as a cavalry officer. During the War Between the States, he was bedecked with a red lined gray cape, yellow sash, ostrich plume in his hat and a red flower in his lapel. He was always mounted on a marvelous horse and usually wore cologne. Some called him "the last cavalier." He became known as a master of reconnaissance and he came to use the cavalry in support of important offensive operations.
At West Point, Stuart had earned the nickname "Beauty," supposedly because a weak chin endeared him with the opposite characteristics of that nickname. Shortly after graduation, Stuart grew a prolific beard, of which a contemporary noted, "Stuart is one of the few men I ever saw whose appearance was improved by a beard.". Prior to the Civil War, Stuart saw action against hostile Indians in Kansas. Upon his return to Virginia, Stuart became aide-de-camp to Major Robert E. Lee. Stuart accompanied Lee in the raid on Harper's Ferry which captured John Brown and his gang.
He was commissioned a captain on April 22, 1861. But when Virginia seceded, JEB resigned his commission on May 3, 1861 and offered his sword to the defense of his native state. He was commissioned Lt. Col. of the Virginia infantry on May 10, 1861. Stuart participated in the first battle of Bull Run and pursued fleeing federals. He was promoted to Brig. General on September 24, 1861.
Stuart assisted Gen. Joseph E. Johnston's army during the Peninsula campaign in Virginia, supporting Johnston's army as it withdrew from the Peninsula. During the Northern Virginia campaign, JEB was promoted to Major General on July 25, 1862.
Stuart's wife, Flora,bore him a daughter on November 14, 1857. During the Northern Virginia campaign, Stuart received a telegram that little Flora had died on November 3, 1862, from Typhoid, just short of her fifth birthday. His son, James Ewell Brown Stuart, Jr. ("Jimmie") had been born on June 26, 1860.
When General Lee began moving his Army of Northern Virginia northward toward Maryland during October 10-12, 1862, Stuart's cavalry screened the movement. During the Chambersburg Raid, Stuart embarrassed the federal army by riding clear around it, from Darkesville, West Virginia, across the corner of Maryland and to Leesburg, Virginia--a distance of 126 miles in a little less than 60 hours. He captured horses and supplies.
At Chancellorsville, Stuart joined Stonewall Jackson in his famous outflanking march against federal General Joseph Hooker. When General A.P. Hill, commanding the Second Corp. was seriously wounded, Jackson asked Stuart to take charge of the Corp. Many consider Stuart's handling of Hill's infantry corp at Chancellorsville to be among the most brilliant work of the war. Stuart led the Corp in a strong, successful attack against the federal left flank, contributing to a sound victory.
After Gettysburg, Lee's army fought mostly defensive battles and concentrated on preventing the capture of Richmond. Stuart used his cavalry effectively, both as instruments of defense and, at times, probing offense.
In May, 1864, General Philip Sheridan's cavalry threatened Richmond. On May 11, Stuart was supporting Confederate infantry that was driving the federals from high ground near an abandoned inn named Yellow Tavern-- about six miles north of Richmond. A brigade of the enemy was preparing to charge Stuart's left flank. General Stuart was mounted and came riding with his staff to form a line of resistance to the charge. About a dozen shots were directed toward Stuart who sat his horse firing into the melee with his revolver. As the 5th Michigan cavalry came streaming past the Confederates in retreat, a dismounted 44 year-old infantryman named Robert A. Huff lifted his pistol almost casually and fired at the big man on a black horse. The bullet struck JEB Stuart in his side, passed through his stomach and exited his back. He slumped in his saddle, managing not to fall from his horse and be captured. As an aid rushed beside him, he asked, "Are you hit, General?" Stuart replied, "John, I am afraid they have killed me."
As Stuart was being lifted from the battlefield, some Confederates came rushing past him in retreat. Stuart lifted himself and yelled, "Go back, men. Go back and do your duty, as I have done mine. I would rather die than be whipped."
Stuart was taken by ambulance to the home of his brother in law, Dr. Charles Brewer of Richmond.. Jefferson Davis paid a short visit around noon. Word was sent to Flora and little Jimmie, whom JEB wanted to see for a final time. Because Mrs. Stuart received the message late and due to difficulty traveling through war torn roads, Mrs. Stuart and the children arrived after the General had died. During the afternoon of May 12, Stuart was growing weaker, drifting in and out of consciousness. He asked his doctor if death was approaching. The doctor replied, "I am afraid so." Stuart asked about his horse and was told that the animal was well and being looked after. He then disposed of all his worldly possessions, leaving his golden spurs to Mrs. Robert E. Lee and his magnificent saber to his young son. JEB called for a hymn and tried to join his general staff as they sang Rock of Ages...Cleft for me, Let me hide myself in Thee...
"I must be prepared for another world," Stuart said. The doctor offered whiskey but Stuart refused. "I promised my mother I would never use it. Besides, it tastes like fire and cannot possibly do me any good." In the ensuing delirium, Stuart relived earlier military exploits and issued new orders for his couriers. In a moment of lucidness, the General whispered, "I am resigned to die if I have done my duty to my country and to my God. God's will be done."
At 7:38 PM on May 12, 1864, JEB Stuart died. He was mourned throughout the Confederacy and word of his passing spread to Europe and beyond.
His wife, Flora, wore the black clothes of mourning for the rest of her life and never remarried. She now rests with her husband at Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond.
JEB Stuart is still considered one of the greatest leaders of cavalry ever born. His friend from his federal army days, Union Maj. Gen. John Sedgewick said that Stuart was "the greatest cavalry officer ever foaled in America."
Gen. Robert E. Lee, upon learning of Stuart's death, said that he could barely think of him without tears. Lee added that Stuart had never given him a bad piece of information.
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