Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 4.djvu/193

 VIRGINIA BIOGRAPHY

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scribes him at West Point: "1 recall his dis- tinguishinjj; characteristics which were a strict attention to military duties, an erect soldierly bearing, an immediate and almost thankful acceptance of a challenge to tight, from any cadet who might in any way feel himself aggrieved, and a clear, metallic, ringing voice." At graduation he was com- missioned brevet second lieutenant in the regiment oi mounted riflemen serving at that time in Texas, and on October 31 of the same year was made second lieutenant. In 1855 Lieutenant Stuart was transferred to the First Regiment, United States Cav- alry, and in August of the same year the regiment was ordered to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. There Lieutenant Stuart was ap- pointed regimental quartermaster and com- missary. In September, 1855, the regiment was ordered out to subdue hostile Indians, and although so engaged until November 4. no actual battle was fought. On December 20, 1855, he was brevetted first lieutenant of his regiment, and in the following year was engaged with it in suppressing hostilities in Kansas between the new settlers, the cjues- tion of whether Kansas was "slave"" or "free" territory not having been settled. It was during this period that Lieutenant Stuart became acquainted with Ossawa- tomie Brown, whom he subsequently iden- tified at Harper's Ferry. On November 14. 1855, he married Flora, daughter of Colonel Philip St. George Cooke, of the Second Dragoons, Colonel Cooke then com- manding the post at Fort Riley, where the ceremony was performed. In 1857 the First Cavalry was engaged in Indian warfare, having many fights with the hostiles, the most important being a battle with the Cheyennes at Solomon's River, where Lieu- tenant Stuart was wounded. From 1857 to i860 he was stationed at Fort Riley with six companies of the First Cavalry. In 1859 he invented a sabre attachment for which he secured a patent, and obtaining a six months leave of absence he went to Washington to negotiate with the war department for the purchase of his invention. In the summer of i860 the First Cavalry was sent against the Comanche and other hostile Indian tribes and while at the headwaters of the Arkansas river was ordered to select a site for the later Fort Wise. He was aide to Col- onel Robert E. Lee in the attack upon John Brown and his raiders of Harper's Ferry, VIR-.10

where he read to Brown the summons to surrender.

Lieutenant Stuart decided when the situ- ation became acute between the states that his course would be that taken by his state, Virginia, and in March, 1861, he applied for a two months leave of absence, and then repaired to St. Louis to await developments. As soon as X'irginia withdrew from the .Union he sent in his resignation as an officer of the United States army, and before hear- ing of its acceptance he received notice of his promotion to captain. His resignation was accepted May 7, 1861, and he at once enlisted in the Confederate army, received a commission as lieutenant-colonel of infan- try, May 10, following, and was ordered to report to Colonel Thomas J. Jackson at Llarper's Ferry. On July 16, of the same year he was brevetted a colonel of cavalry, and on September 24 a brigadier-general by the Confederate States government, and on July 22, 1862, commissioned a major-general, following his daring raid around the army of the Potomac just before the Seven Days Battle, a movement that won the applause and hearty admiration of both friend and foe.

General Stuart's cavalry division con- tained in June, 1861, but twenty-one officers and three hundred and thirteen men, yet such was his activity and efficiency that v/ith this small force a front of fifty miles was closely guarded and every important movement reported. In referring to this service General Joseph E. Johnston wrote him from the w^est : "How can I eat, sleep or rest in peace without you upon this out- post?"' He bore an important part in sav- ing the day at Bull Run, but on December 20, 1861, in command of four regiments of infantry, met his first reverse, at the battle of Drainsville. At Seven Pines General Longstreet said in his report, "Brigadier- General J. E. B. Stuart in the absence of any opportunity to use his cavalry was of mater- ial assistance to me on the field." In June, 1862, he led the movement to the rear of McClellan's army, known as the "Chicka- hominy Raid." He was actively engaged in the "Seven Days" fighting around Rich- mond, and on August 20, 1862, made a dar- ing expedition, crossing the Rappahannock at W^aterloo Bridge, Harts Ford. With most of his command he raided General Pope's camp at Catlett's Station, capturing