James Ewell Brown Stuart, better known as JEB Stuart, was a Confederate cavalry general during the Civil War. He was born on February 6, 1833, in Patrick County, Virginia.
Stuart graduated from West Point in 1854 and served in the U.S. Army until 1861, when he resigned to join the Confederate Army.
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Stuart was a brilliant cavalry commander and was known for his daring raids and scouting missions. He played a key role in many of the major battles of the Civil War, including the First Battle of Bull Run, the Second Battle of Bull Run, and the Battle of Chancellorsville.
He took a lot of criticism for his lack of intelligence during the Battle of Gettysburg.
Stuart was killed on May 12, 1864, during the Battle of Yellow Tavern. He was 31 years old.
Stuart was a popular figure in the Confederate army and was known for his charisma and his flamboyant style of dress. He was also a skilled horseman and was known for his daring rides.
Stuart's death was a major blow to the Confederate army. He was one of the Confederacy's most valuable commanders, and his loss was a major setback.
Read Article: Famous Civil War Generals
Family Overview
JEB Stuart was a descendant of Irish immigrants who migrated to the 13 Original Colonies in the 17th century and eventually migrated to Virginia.
They would be involved in every conflict that took place in the Virginia Colony, such as the French and Indian War, Revolutionary War, and War of 1812.
His father was a lawyer and had 11 children. Many of JEB's siblings died young, including himself, but those who survived were influential in the region.
He and his wife met while in Kansas, and when the Civil War became a reality, it caused a rift between JEB and his father-in-law, who remained loyal to the Union. JEB took it so seriously that he renamed his son after himself rather than his father-in-law, whom he had much respect for prior to the war.
JEB Stuart had a son who he only knew for 4 years. His son grew up to continue the tradition in the Military and would fight in the Spanish-American War.
Family Tree Chart
Parents:
Archibald Stuart (1795 - 1855) - He had strong ties to Virginia, served during the War of 1812, and practiced law after graduating college. He served in the House of Representatives and practiced law after his service. He died suddenly in 1855, leaving behind his widow and 11 children.
Elizabeth Lechter Pannell (1801 - 1884) - She was born to a wealthy family in Virginia and had 11 children with her husband. After his sudden death, she continued to live on their estate. She outlived eight of her children until her death in 1884.
Spouse:
Flora St. George Cooke (1836 - 1923) - She met her husband while in Kansas. When Virginia seceded, her father remained loyal to the Union, which split the family. After her husband's death at the Battle of Yellow Tavern, she wore mourning garb for the rest of her life.
Children:
Flora Stuart (1857 - 1862) - She was the firstborn of General Stuart but died at 5 years of age of typhoid fever. General Stuart wrote that her mother had a hard time with losing her "little companion."
James Ewell Brown Stuart Jr. (1860 - 1930) - He was originally given the name of his maternal grandfather, but General Stuart and his wife changed his name after her father remained loyal to the Union. He would be 4 years old when his father died. He would grow up and serve in the Spanish-American War and witness World War 1 and Babe Ruth becoming the most popular person in America.
Virginia Pelham Stuart (1863 - 1898) - She was born about a year prior to her father's death. She grew up, got married, and had three children. She, unfortunately, died after her last child and her mother would raise the three children.
Siblings:
Anne Dabney Stuart (1818 - 1846) - She was the oldest sister of General JEB Stuart. She was 28 years of age when she passed away.
Bethenia Frances Stuart (1819 - 1905) - She married a reverend who died in Texas. She lived until the age of 83 years old, but there is not much known of her. It is unclear if she had any children or remarried.
Mary Tucker Stuart (1821 – 1888) - She lived until she was about 67 years of age. She was one of the few children that outlived her mother.
David Pannill Stuart (1823 – 1845) - He was only 22 years of age when he died of Typhoid Fever.
William Alexander Stuart (1826 – 1892) - He was married twice and had many children. He was born in Virginia but migrated to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by the time of his death.
John Dabney Stuart (1828 – 1877) - He went to medical school and became a surgeon for the Confederacy in the Civil War. After the war, he did not go back into medicine and instead pursued farming until his death.
Columbia Lafayette Stuart (1830 – 1857) - She would survive until adulthood and marry. She had two children but died in childbirth in 1857.
Male Stuart (1834) - He died as an infant
Virginia Josephine Stuart (1836 – 1842) - She died at 6 years of age.
Victoria Augusta Stuart (1838 – 1862) - She was only 14 years of age when she died.