J.E.B. Stuart

Jeb Stuart

Early Life and Education

Jeb Stuart was born on February 6, 1833, in Patrick County, Virginia. He began his education at Emory and Henry College before transferring to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, where he graduated in 1854.

Early Military Career

After graduation, Stuart served with the U.S. Army in Texas and Kansas. He gained early national attention when he participated in the capture of radical abolitionist John Brown at Harpers Ferry in 1859. Stuart was promoted to captain, but when Virginia seceded from the Union, he resigned his commission to join the Confederate cause.

Role in the Civil War

From the beginning of the Civil War, Stuart took command of Confederate cavalry forces. His reconnaissance missions behind Union lines provided critical intelligence to General Robert E. Lee and played a key role in many battles. Stuart’s cavalry raids were famous for disrupting Union operations and demoralizing enemy troops, particularly during the Peninsula Campaign and the Maryland Campaign.

Major Battles and Contributions

Stuart contributed to significant Confederate victories at Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. At Chancellorsville, he temporarily assumed command of A.P. Hill’s division after Hill was wounded. However, at the Battle of Gettysburg, Stuart's delayed arrival meant he was unable to provide Lee with vital intelligence, a factor many historians cite as contributing to the Confederate defeat there.

Learn more about the Battles of: Fredericksburg | Chancellorsville | Gettysburg

Legacy and Death

Known for his boldness and charm, Stuart earned the admiration of his men and the deep trust of General Lee, who called him “The Eyes of the Army.” Stuart’s military career came to an end when he was mortally wounded at the Battle of Yellow Tavern in 1864. His death was a major blow to the Confederate command.

Discussion Questions

  1. Why was J.E.B. Stuart’s role as a cavalry leader so important to the Confederate Army?
  2. How did Stuart’s actions before Gettysburg affect the outcome of the battle?
  3. Why do you think Robert E. Lee trusted Stuart so much?
  4. Do you think Stuart's daring raids helped or hurt the Confederate cause overall? Why?

Early Life and Education

J.E.B. Stuart was born on February 6, 1833, in Patrick County, Virginia. He went to Emory and Henry College and then graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1854.

Military Service Before the Civil War

Stuart served in Texas and Kansas and helped capture the abolitionist John Brown at Harpers Ferry. He became a captain in the U.S. Army but left when Virginia joined the Confederacy.

Role in the Civil War

Stuart led Confederate cavalry from the start of the war. He gathered valuable information for General Robert E. Lee by scouting Union positions. His raids hurt Union morale and helped the Confederate Army in battles like Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville.

Gettysburg and Death

At Gettysburg, Stuart arrived too late to help Lee, which may have hurt the Confederate cause. Lee once called Stuart “The Eyes of the Army.” Stuart was seriously wounded at the Battle of Yellow Tavern in 1864 and died soon after.