Civil War History - The Eastern TheaterDiscuss any and all battles, movements, and events occuring in the Eastern Theater here! This includes any actions in tha area east of the Appalachian Mountains in the vicinity of the river capitals of Richmond and Washington D.C.
On May 2nd, Jackson lead his "foot cavalry" on a daylong, 12-mile march over the back roads and into history smashing into O.O. Howard's unsuspecting 11th Corps, driving them nearly two miles east.
We all know what happened that night however, JEB Stuart took command of Jackson's men and continued the fight the following day. Due you think we have not given Stuart the credit he deserves for his actions as commander of that wing during the battle? It seemed to me Stuart did a wonderfull job all things considered. I was just wandering what others thought.
I heartily agree. Stuart did an outstanding job taking over Jackson's troops, especially considering that Stuart was basically a cavalry commander, not an infantry or artillery man. I believe Stuart led Jackson's men in the assault on the Union position at Hazel Grove, from which, once they controlled the heights, the Confederates were able to launch the artillery bombardment that forced Hooker to abandon his headquarters at the Chancellor house.
Stuart's role is forgotten but many of his attacks on May 3rd were piecemeal. The abandonment of Hazel Grove enabled EP Alexander's guns to turn the tide of the battle.
I won't go quite as far as TexasCavCadet, but I agree that it's certainly possible that Stuart might have performed admirably at Gettysburg. Under extremely difficult circumstances, he did an excellent job at Chancellorsville. Yes, I suppose the attacks were not perfectly coordinated, but he was newly in command and in the middle of the Wilderness. He deserves more credit than he typically receives.
I don't have a terribly high opinion of Stuart, but he certainly did a fine job at Chancellorsville. Would he have made a good infantry commander? I think that would be totally speculative. Respectfully
__________________ Up men, and to your post! And let no man forget today that you are from old Virginia!
I don't have a terribly high opinion of Stuart, but he certainly did a fine job at Chancellorsville. Would he have made a good infantry commander? I think that would be totally speculative. Respectfully
Excellent observation, NB. I put Stuart into the same category as Forrest, hisself. Superb in their niche. Untested beyond that. Stuart got a shot at big-time command at Chancellorsville and performed creditably. Did Forrest have a similar opportunity?
Whatever. I tend to think that both were much too valuable doing their thing to promote them out of it. Both deserved a shot at larger commands, but they couldn't be spared from what they did best.
Perhaps not so untested at infantry command. Wasn't Stuart in the contingent that Lee commanded at Harpers Ferry circa 1859. civilwarhome.com quotes "Who Was Who In The Civil War" by Stewart Sifakis and states that Stuart had not only the Harpers Ferry experience but was appointed as a lt col. of VA infantry. My Amann book makes a vague reference to him commanding troops in Lewinsville VA, but does not mention branch of service.
Respectfully,
Matt
I think Stuart did a very good job when he took command at Chancellorsville, but I can't see him having an infantry command for the rest of the war. I think he was much better suited to "jine the cavalry".
__________________ "But is it wrong to remember the past? I think of it without bitterness. God decreed it---God the all-wise, the all-merciful---for his own purposes. I do not indulge any repinings or reflect with rancor upon the issue of the struggle. I prefer recalling the stirring adventure, the brave voices, the gallant faces: even in that tremendous drama of 1864-5, I can find something besides blood and tears: even here and there some sunshine!" ~John Esten Cooke
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