Jeb Stuart

A detailed Summary of Jeb Stuart

Jeb Stuart was a combination leadership general in the mid-nineteenth century. He was a great leader as well as a good follower. In the following paragraphs I intend to tell about his life before the army and his life during his service, explain why he was such a great leader, and discuss the roles he played in the battles he fought.

Every great story has a beginning. This one is no exception. James Ewell Brown Stuart was born on February sixth, eighteen thirty-three. He was the seventh of twelve children and the youngest son. Stuart attended Emory and Henry College before being appointed to the United States Military Academy. He graduated thirteenth out of forty-six in his class and was appointed cavalry sergeant, which was the highest rank attainable for these cadets. After graduation Stuart of course entered the U.S. army and because of his participation in the military academy was given the rank of second lieutenant, and was assigned to the regiment of the Mounted Texas Riflemen. He excelled in leading the regiment, and was promoted and transferred to the newly formed first Regiment, U.S. Cavalry. On January fifteenth, eighteen sixty-one Jeb sent a letter to Jefferson Davis askin

g him for a position in the confederate army. On May third of the same year he sent his letter of resignation to the U.S. army, and three weeks later was given the rank of captain of the southern cavalry. This didn't last too long due to Stuart's superb skills. At the end of it all he was promoted to major general of the entire confederate cavalry division.

Stuart was in many battles in the Civil War, some he played a vital role in, others not. His first service was in the Shenandoah Valley, but he was at First Manassas where he nipped at the Union right flank, and then tried to organize a pursuit. After that he had an unusual role. Nobody had foreseen entire brigades of cavalry, so Stuart kept command of his regiment but was also responsible for the whole army's outposts. By late October 1861 he had a cavalry brigade. He saw action in most of the battles in the eastern theater. Just before the Seven Days Battles he led his brigade in a raid behind the Union lines. He couldn't do much physical damage there were too many Union troops in the area, and he had to keep moving lest a large body crush his small command but he had wider effects. Of course it boosted Confederate morale but it gave McClellan just one more thing to worry about. Just after the Seven Days Battles Stuart was promoted to Major General and given command of a whole division of cavalry. He fought in the Second Manassas campaign, losing his cloak and famous plumed hat, but later on over-ran John Pope's headquarters and captured Pope's full dress uniform. Stuart also

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Approximate Word count = 1047
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: History