James Ewell Brown Stuart And The Civil War Essay

The name Civil War is misleading because the war was not a class struggle, but a sectional combat, having its roots in political, economic, social, and psychological elements. It has been characterized, in the words of William H. Seward, as the “irrepressible conflict.” In another judgment the Civil War was viewed as criminally stupid, an unnecessary bloodletting brought on by arrogant extremists and blundering politicians. Both views accept the fact that in 1861 there existed a situation that, rightly or wrongly, had come to be regarded as insoluble by peaceful means.

Each of the persons ,John Brown, Stephen Douglas, and Abraham Lincoln, with their own niche roles contributed greatly to the coming and the inevitability of the Civil War. Lincoln being chief among these people in respects to importance to the coming of the Civil War was a huge catalyst to the civil war through his election to presidency without the votes of a single southern state, and his debates with Stephen Douglas. Douglas was another large part of the fruition of the Civil War through his Compromise of 1850, and the Douglas-Lincoln debates which lead to Lincoln winning the election. John Brown while not contributing to the coming of the war as Lincoln or Douglas still played his role by becoming a martyr for the Republican-Abolitionist cause. Each person while contributing unique aspects to the onslaught that was the Civil War had one thing in common, they all progressed it 's coming heavily making the Civil War almost inevitable.

When General Joseph E. Johnson was badly hurt the command of his army was given to Robert E. Lee by Jefferson Davis. In Lee’s Eyes a good defense is a good offense. Lee’s army had a good offense so they attacked places under Union control like Beaver Dam Creek and Gaines. Joseph Davis and his friend Robert E. Lee talked to each other and thought about a second invasion to the north. General Jackson General Lee and General Davis all invaded Pennsylvania through a river that they

One of the boldest actions of Maj. Gen. James Ewell Brown Stuart under the leadership of Robert E. Lee was his effort to make "a complete circuit around the Union Army, heading to the north end of the lower peninsula (near the York River) and returning to Richmond along the James." . Allowing Stuart to make this move was one of the first decisions of Robert E. Lee, who had just replaced the more cautious Gen. Joseph E. Johnston as the leader of the Confederates. "In the aftermath of the inconclusive battle," led by Johnson "Lee suspected that the right flank of McClellan's army was 'in the air' not anchored to any natural formation, and thus vulnerable to attack. To be certain, he decided to send Stuart to reconnoiter."

MG James E. B. Stuart graduated from West Point in 1854, spent much of his service with the 1st Cavalry in Kansas. He was in charge of all of the cavalry for the Army of Northern Virginia and actively engaged in the Battle of

Another problem Lee had was that he was seen as a father figure to most of the men and treated them softly. Stuart was supposed to be gathering information for Lee, but instead he was out “joy riding” which left the Army of Northern Virginia basically blind as to where the North regiments were positioned. Longstreet said “When Stuart comes back you ought to court martial him” (82). However, Lee believed reproach, letting Stuart know how badly he let them down, would make him a good soldier. When dealing with Stuart Lee “spoke as you speak to a child” and wanted to reassure him. He treated Stuart softly (256-266). Lee’s age, failing health, and softness on his men was one reason the Army of Northern Virginia lost the Battle of Gettysburg.

The stage was set for an immense struggle at Gettysburg after the May 1863 Battle of Chancellors Ville, when General Robert E. Lee made the historic decision to divide his already out manned and outgunned Army of Northern Virginia. This apparent violation of basic strategic principles was undertook at great risk, and only for the reason that a great payoff was possible. By creating 3 corps from his 75,000 men, Lee made it possible to accomplish more tasks in the same amount of time. The three commanders were, in theory, to be supported by the strategic reconnasaince of Jeb Stuart's cavalry-a role in which he failed dismally (and fatally) in the days and weeks leading up to Gettysburg. Lee decided to take the offensive by invading Pennsylvania via Maryland in an attempt to end the war quickly by threatening the Northern capitol and waging "total war" on the Northern citizens. Unfortunately for Lee, Stuart's joyriding (Jeb delighted in riding complete circles around the Northern armies and hence all of the public recognition and

E. B. Stuart was the Confederate cavalry leader. His job was to report to Lee and Longstreet the position of the Union troops. He failed to do this resulting in a major disadvantage for the Confederate side. Because they didn’t know the position they weren’t able to properly strategize. This, in a way, helped the Union side win the war.

A bad brush with field command in western Virginia-in a campaign marked by military rivalries, lack of supplies, wretched weather, and overly ambitious strategy on Lee's part-tarnished the new general's reputation. Davis still regarded him highly and sent him to organize southern Atlantic coastal defenses. Lee pursued this task efficiently until recalled to the Confederate capital, Richmond. In his role as presidential adviser, he tried to smooth the abrasive personalities of Davis and General Joseph E. Johnston and to utilize the daring of General Stonewall Jackson to frustrate Federal plans for sending aid to General George B. McClellan's army, which was approaching Richmond.

The famous Battle of Gettysburg was fought July 1 to July 3 of 1863 in and around the town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The battle proved to show the most casualties of the entire war and resulted in a crushing defeat of the Confederates. The Battle of Gettysburg is generally considered to be the turning point of the American Civil War. This paper will demonstrate the various reasons as to why the Confederates, led by General Robert E. Lee, were unsuccessful in the Battle of Gettysburg during their invasion of the north. General Lee’s over-confidence, the confederate army’s disorganization and failed coordination, and the shift of intelligence all contributed to the crushing defeat of the confederates at Gettysburg. Following his

Stuart failed his job. Advancing through the North, General Robert E. Lee depended on Stuart to report information about the terrain of the unfamiliar land and the movement of the Army of the Potomac (Union). Lee’s purpose for invading the North was to utterly destroy the Union army and have a devastating win to end the war. At this point, General Lee and his army were running low on provisions. Stuart, instead of gathering essential information, was joy riding in the North causing great commotion. If it had not been for a paid spy by the name of Harrison, the Confederates would have surely been blind in enemy territory. Harrison gave the size of the Union Army, as well as which direction the army was going. All roads converged at Gettysburg, so Lee thought it was the best place to strike. Also, Harry Heth, a division commander who some blame for the lost of Gettysburg, would not have attacked until the Confederate army assembled, for they would have known what they were up against. The Confederate army at full strength could have easily won the battle on day one; however, Stuart’s absence almost lost the battle before it even

Soon after joining the army he was assigned to Thomas ‘Stonewall’ Jackson’s army. Not long after joining Jackson’s army, he was promoted to the rank of Colonel, and was put in charge of Jackson’s cavalry. J.E.B Stuart soon put his knowledge into effect during the 1st Battle of Bull Run, where he chased retreating Union troops and captures a large plethora of supplies. He soon had the respect of his troops and a growing

On June 3rd of 1863 Confederate General Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia. This would be his second campaign into the north. If he could get Maryland he would have the upper hand on Baltimore, the District of Columbia, and Philadelphia. Lee headed into the campaign with 72000 men. Union Major General George Meade's Army of the Potomac had over 100000 men. Lee eventually pushed his way up through Virginia to meet the Union army at Gettysburg. The commanding officers of the Union army were Major General George G. Meade, Major General John F. Reynolds, Major General Winfield Scott Hancock, Major General Daniel E. Sickles, Major General George Sykes, Major General John Sedgwick, Major General Oliver O. Howard, Major General Henry W. Slocum,

The American Civil War lasted from April 12, 1861 to May 9, 1865. It was the bloodiest war in American history, killing approximately 620,000 soldiers in total. The War was fought and won by the North, ensuring that all the United States would stay united and slavery would be illegal in The United States. However, history is one of the most complicated things in the world. It’s also one of the most important things in the world because history is what made the present possible. Historians have debated the cause of The American Civil War for over a hundred and fifty years. This is a very complicated question as history can be a matter of opinion sometimes. When looking at history, one of the most important tools you can have is written words from past men and women of the time. “It is chiefly through books that we enjoy intercource with superior minds. In the best books, great men talk to us, give us their most precious thoughts, and pour their souls into ours. God be thanked for books. They are the voices of the distant and the dead, and make us their heirs of the spiritual life of past ages.” William Ellery Channing an American preacher 1780-1842. Writings from the time will reveal the true history of the time. The writings of John C. Calhoun, Alexander Stephens, and Henry Clay, are three opinions that highlight the causes of the Civil War.

In the Civil War the North had many advantages over the South. The South was outnumbered, out supplied, and pushed into a corner using military tactics. Many things changed because of the Civil War. The military tactics used by the North changed how war was fought from then on. Many changes were made politically; some were only temporary, while others were permanent. After the war was over, the country was reunited and the image of the soul and duty of our country redefined.