Jeb Stuart

Jeb Stuart was born February 6, 1833 in Patrick County, Va. He attended Emory and Henry College before graduating from the U.S. Military Academy in 1854.

Stuart served in both Texas and Kansas and was involved in the capture of radical abolitionist John Brown at Harper's Ferry. Although he was made captain by the U.S. Army, Stuart resigned to join the cause of Virginia in the Civil War. Stuart soon proved himself worthy of promotion at Bull Run and Williamsburg. He was soon promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and his frequent raids on McClellan's Army in Maryland did much to demoralize Union troops and prevented them from effectively moving against Lee's army. Stuart's daring nature won him the hearts of his soldiers. His leadership was a major reason why the Confederates held Chancellorsville after Stonewall Jackson' s death, and routed Union forces at the second battle of Bull Run. Lee referred to Stuart as "The Eyes of the Army". Jeb Stuart was mortally wounded at the Battle of Yellow Tavern in 1864.