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Cavalryman of the Lost Cause: A Biography of J. E. B. Stuart
written by Jeffry D. Wert
Studio : Simon & Schuster
by Simon & Schuster
Publisher : Simon & Schuster
Released : 2008-09-23
Availability : Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Number of Items : 1
EAN : 9780743278195
Avg. Customer Rating: (based on 2 reviews)
List Price : $32.00
Our Price : $15.35
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Product Description |
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Cavalryman of the Lost Cause is the first major biography in decades of the famous Confederate general J. E. B. Stuart. Based on research in manuscript collections, personal memoirs and reminiscences, and regimental histories, this comprehensive volume reflects outstanding Civil War scholarship. James Ewell Brown Stuart was the premier cavalry commander of the Confederacy. He gained a reputation for daring early in the war when he rode around the Union army in the Peninsula Campaign, providing valuable intelligence to General Robert E. Lee at the expense of Union commander George B. McClellan. Stuart has long been controversial because of his performance in the critical Gettysburg Campaign, where he was out of touch with Lee for several days; this left Lee uncertain about the size and movement of the Union army, information that would prove decisive when the battle began. In an engagement with the cavalry of Union general Philip Sheridan in spring 1864, Stuart was killed. He was only thirty-one. Jeffry D. Wert provides new details about Stuart's childhood and youth, and he draws on letters between Stuart and his wife, Flora, to show us the man as he was: eager for glory, daring sometimes to the point of recklessness, but a devoted and loving husband and father. Stuart has long been regarded as the finest Confederate cavalryman and one of the best this country has ever produced. Wert shows how Stuart's friendship with Stonewall Jackson and his relationship with Lee were crucial; at the same time Stuart's relationships with his subordinates were complicated and sometimes troubled. Cavalryman of the Lost Cause is a riveting biography of a towering figure of the Civil War, a fascinating and colorful work by one of our finest Civil War historians. |
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Some folks may not like this one....... |
...but, on the whole, it's a valuable addition to the history of the war. When I first saw this recently, my question was "Why"?...we already have at least three other major bios of JEB, all of them good. John Thomason's "Jeb Stuart" [1930] is, I think, the most positive, and the present offering the most negative. Burke Davis' "The Last Cavalier" [1957], and Emory Thomas' "Bold Dragoon" [1986] would be somewhere in between, and all four are well worth your time. The event in history that has caused more words to be written than any other is, certainly, the resurrection of Jesus Christ. What is #2? My vote would be for the American Civil War...new books almost daily...web sites by the score...our fascination is endless....
........and JEB Stuart remains one of the war's more fascinating characters. The man had FLASH...he had STYLE...but, he was brave, and he could sure fight. Mr. Wert gives us good descriptions of the man...he was loved by many, respected by most, but he was a darn tough man to work for [I would rather have ridden with Forrest]...a devoutly religious man, he could be more hateful and vindictive than a Christian should be. His lack of respect for Beverly Robertson has a sound basis, but Grumble Jones is a different matter. A shameless self promoter, he was still fearless in battle...his ride around McClellan and raid on Chambersburg are covered in superb detail, and fine operations they were, but part of it was always about JEB.
JEB's most improbable friendship with Stonewall Jackson is well documented, as is his rather cool relationship with Longstreet [Mr. Wert has given us the most postitive bio of him], and his virtual reverence for Robert E. Lee...nothing unusual in that. Wade Hampton accused JEB of already starting his campaign for Governor of Virginia...there was mutual respect between them, but no friendship. JEB probably would have been Governor had he survived the war; Hampton was Governor and Senator, and ran SC for 30 years, but he had the advantage of massive wealth.
Gettysburg.
That's where all modern appraisals of Stuart eventually lead. Numerous studies have either blamed JEB for the loss of the war, or completely exonerated him. Mr. Wert does neither, and that's probably the proper path. If you're reading this, you already know the story...discretionary orders [that was Lee's fault]...discretion exceeded...125 useless wagons...8 days wasted...battle lost. JEB was trying to show off after his screw up led to Brandy Station. "Where's your mule"? Indeed. We do get a good picture of JEB's partial redemption on the retreat. And, something I've never read before...apparently after Gettysburg consideration was given to firing Stuart [no surprise there], and replacing him with John Bell Hood. I'm pretty sure I've read all the Hood and Stuart bios, plus "RE Lee" and "Lee's Lieutenants"...I've not seen that, and neither has my friend Sam Hood, but he's checking into it. General Hood had been Cavalry prior to the war, but he had been wounded at Gettysburg. He could have done the job [in fact, he was chosen chief Cavalry instructor at West Point in 1859, though, anticipating secession, he turned down the job], and he probably got along with others better than Stuart did.
One thing will disturb some, especially Stuart's descendents...everybody knows that though JEB was devoted to his wife and family, he enjoyed the attention of pretty girls...no crime there. So do I. Mr. Wert implies that there was a lot more than harmless dancing, and innocent flirtation, going on, and names names...Laura Ratcliffe. Are the facts straight? Beats me, but, with as good a historian as Mr. Wert, probably.
A couple of minor errors...Fitz Lee wasn't injured in a fall after Second Manassas, it was Robert E. JEB attended St. James Episcopal in Richmond, not St. Paul's...I admit he could he could have visited St. Paul's. St. Paul's is still on East Grace Street, right where it was then. St. James [which is correctly given as the site of JEB's funeral] moved to its present location on West Franklin Street in the early 20th. century. It's within a block of JEB's statue on Monument Avenue, and has a beautiful memorial window picturing JEB as a Teutonic Knight. JEB IV is a Vestryman. Both St. Paul's and St. James are great Churches. I digress...
This book, like the subject of it, has both positive and negative aspects. In both cases, the good far exceeds the bad. Was Stuart the greatest Cavalry Officer? Maybe, but there was Forrest [and Joe Wheeler and William Clarke Quantrill]. Is this the greatest Stuart bio? I don't think do, but the margin is awful thin, and the competition very tough. It Mr. Wert a great historian, and writer? Darn right he is...well recommended. |
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Another Excellent Biography from Wert |
The Army of Northern Virginia possessed more than its' share of large than life figures. Some of them have become American icons, while the balance is familiar to the Civil War community. Their images grace our artwork, books, and stamps or are the subject of movies.
James Earl Brown Stuart is one of these larger than life figures. Commander of Lee's cavalry, Stuart trained and motive these men into a dominate force. He personally led them into numerous fights both large and small. At Antietam, his placement of guns on the army's left helped breakup Union attacks. At Chancellorsville, he shielded Jacksons march and on Jackson's being wounded, Stuart took command. His attack reunited the wings of the army giving Lee a unified line and contributing to Hooker's withdrawal. Stuart's decisions during the Gettysburg Campaign are debated to this day and contributed to Lee's army being defeated. During his life, the press lionized and vilified Stuart, depending on his latest action. He was a man of great contradictions. A very competent officer but ambitious to a fault. Considered fair, he was known to be a good hater. His ambitions and personal feelings about people overruled his good judgment at times. A religious man with strong family ties and a good marriage, he sought the company of young women and flirted with them. This caused limited problems in his marriage. JEB Stuart is a fascinating subject with an interesting complex life.
Jeffery Wert is one of our better authors. He combines a very easy to read style with an in-depth knowledge of the subject. His biography of James Longstreet is consider one of the best on the man. Wert captures the complexities and contradictions that make up Stuart's personality. He has the background to understand and explain Stuart's contribution to the war. Wert is neither enamored with nor critical of Stuart. He presents both the good and bad points in a fair manner allowing the reader to judge. On questions of judgment, Wert presents the facts and shows us why Stuart may have done as he did. The results of Stuart's actions are presented fairly without excuses or accusations.
This is an excellent book! It finds the balance between readability and scholarship. The result is an informative read that is fun too. In addition to a biography of Stuart, the reader gets a view of cavalry operations during the war. I am not a great reader of biographies. However, this is a military and personal history of a major player in the Army of Northern Virginia.
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