The FReeper Foxhole Remembers Morgan's Raid (July, 1863) - Jan. 15th, 2004

"Lexington" ^ | 1975 | Mary Wilson and Sharon Y. Asher

[carton253]

JEB has survived both my cat's flanking move and direct assault. He's cool under pressure! Still waiting for him to pluck out his banjo and sing me a song though! LOL!

[SAMWolf]

It'll cover the Valley Campaign of 1862.

[carton253]

The only difference is JEB is red... and he's missing some of his bottom fin...

[SAMWolf]

DO YOUR DUTY

If J.E.B. Stuart could have had a dying wish, it probably would have been to die in a great cavalry engagement during battle. And that's exactly what happened at Yellow Tavern, six miles from Richmond, Virginia. Stuart's 3,000 - 4500 men were up against Union Gen. Phil Sheridan's 10,000 man cavalry.

Prior to the battle, Sheridan's soldiers rode four abreast and in a column which stretched 13 miles. Outnumbered and outgunned since Sheridan's troops were armed with the dreaded, rapid firing Spencer carbine, Stuart's two Confederate brigades fought valiantly and fiercely not yielding to the odds. For two solid hours, sabers clanked, pistols cracked and carbines popped as horsemen tumbled from their saddles. When Stuart's Divisions appeared to be slowly giving way, Gen. Sheridan finally called off the attack, calling it a "obstinate contest."

This battle saw the loss of one of the South's premier generals - J.E.B. Stuart. A dismounted cavalryman shot at a large, red bearded Confederate officer on a horse thirty feet away. The officer was Gen. J.E.B. Stuart. He was seriously wounded and would be carried from the field. Stuart observed a group of Confederate stragglers moving away from the battle and he shouted to them, "Go back! Go back! Do your duty as I've done mine. I'd rather die than be whipped!" This was said to be Stuart's last order. Lee could not speak for several hours after being told of Stuart's death. Time Line May 11, 1864

---

Gen. J.E.B. STUART - THE MAN

James Ewell Brown Stuart received an early education at home and later at Emory and Henry college. In 1850 he attended West Point, graduating 13th in his class. He would spend 6 years in Kansas pulling "frontier duty." Stuart's love for the cavalry led him to invent a device which would hold a cavalry saber to the belt. He traveled to Washington D.C. to sell the invention to the War Department and during this travel, was summoned by then Union Col., Robert E. Lee to serve on Lee's staff. Lee was superintendent at West Point when Stuart was a cadet. The friendship of the two men had been forged earlier at Harper's Ferry during the capture of John Brown.

Looking to the past, Stuart never forgot Gettysburg and from this time forward, stayed in contact with the army and lessened his "showboating." He became one of Lee's most trusted generals. Stuart's flamboyant manner with colorful plumes in his hat, a banjo player named "Sweeney" at his side and the love for attention of the ladies was mainly all show. Inside, he was a devoted husband, father and the "Cavalier of Dixie" to his men. He was jovial, always playful except while in battle and he just loved life. But, like Stonewall Jackson, Stuart was an aggressor always looking for the battle and the advantage!

Said one of his aides, John E. Cooke, "Never have I seen a purer, more knightly, or more charming gallantry than his...ladies were his warmest admirers, for they saw that under his laughing exterior, was an earnest nature and warm heart." Stuart was transported to Richmond after he was wounded and died the next day before his devoted wife, Flora, could arrive. The last words he spoke were in a whisper, "I am resigned; God's will be done." He is buried in Richmond's Hollywood Cemetery.

[carton253]

I'll be ready. Have recently bought several older books on the Valley Campaign and some on specific battles like Port Republic and Cross Keys (Krick is the author). I hope also to get Krick's book on Cedar Mountain.

[carton253]

Sam... I was just getting to post JEB's words, "I would rather die than be whipped!" Great minds think alike!

Two JEB stories that I like...

The Yankees surprised him causing him to flee (I don't recall the town) suddenly. He had to leave behind his new hat and plume. A few days later, he managed to capture John Pope's baggage. He sent Pope this telegram...

"You have my hat and plume. I have your coat. I suggest a meeting to trade hostages."

Then there was the telegram he sent to the US Quatermaster General during the winter of 1862 complaining about the quality of mules he had been capturing lately. He signed it, "JEB Stuart". The Quartermaster General was not happy to have received it.

God bless JEB Stuart!

[SAMWolf]

Then there was the telegram he sent to the US Quatermaster General during the winter of 1862 complaining about the quality of mules he had been capturing lately.

LOL. It's a shame his not being there at Gettysburg blemished his record.

[carton253]

I have read many books on Gettysburg... (still more to read and learn from) but I don't think JEB deserves the bum rap that he has received throughout history.

First of all, Stuart had permission to get in the Yankee rear and disrupt communications, supply lines, etc. Lee gave him a great deal of latitude.

Second of all... Stuart left instruction with one of his regiments (I want to say Grumble Jones) to ride north and provide cover for Lee. This order was not obeyed. (This tidbit comes from the book "High Tide at Gettysburg")

Third of all... Lee had calvary with him. He was not as blind as history make Lee out to be. He did have calvary with him.

Fourth of all... When the Union Army began North, Stuart rode North to join Lee but chose not to go the direct route. Instead he wanted to circle the Union Army again. This, he should not have done. After capturing 125 wagons... he could not get far enough ahead of the Union Army to circle in front and join Lee.

Fifth of all... Stuart's orders were not to join Lee but to meet Ewell at Hanover. Stuart arrived at Hanover and not only was Ewell not there (he was on his way to Gettysburg), Ewell didn't leave word for Stuart as to where he went.

To me, there is a huge injustice done to Stuart's reputation. I would hold him responsible for his decision to continue to ride around the Union Army instead of disengaging and meeting Ewell at Hanover. But... he wasn't AWOL or disobeying orders... He was performing well within the parameters of his order.

I have two more books on Gettysburg coming in the next week or two. I will have to read and see what the authors say about Stuart.

[SAMWolf]

I'm sure some of the criticism of Stuart at Gettysburg was a case of sour grapes by others who didn't like Stuart's popularity.

[carton253]

Perhaps... but, I know that I need to do a whole lot more studying on the subject to understand it fully.

[PhilDragoo]

Wait right here while I recharge my CO₂ extinguisher!

[PhilDragoo]

This thread reminds me of Friendly Persuasion, starring Gary Cooper, which is about an Indiana Quaker family whose menfolk have to face hard decisions about pacifism or fighting when the Confederates come raiding. Highly recommend.

Pat Boone sang title theme.

[Victoria Delsoul]

Evening everyone. I thought this graphic was cute.

[Professional Engineer]

Thanks. Downloading now.

[Victoria Delsoul]

You're welcome.

[snippy_about_it]

Good evening Victoria.

Sam's having some cable problems and currently cannot get to the internet. :-(

[Victoria Delsoul]

Hi Snippy. Poor Sam, hope things get better soon. Thanks for letting me know.

[SAMWolf]

Pat Boone sang title theme.

And he didi a good job at it too.

[SAMWolf]

Evening Victoria. Doberman's are German, LOL!

[SAMWolf]

Back! What ever the problem was it seems to have fixed itself.