Cavalryman of the Lost Cause: A Biography of J. E. B. Stuart

by Jeffry D. Wert

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 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.

Genres: Civil War, Biography, History, American Civil War, Nonfiction, American History, Military Fiction

512 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

American historian and author specializing in the American Civil War. He graduated cum laude with a B.A. from Lock Haven University, and a M.A. from The Pennsylvania State University, both in History. He worked for many years as a history teacher at Penns Valley Area High School in Spring Mills, Pennsylvania.

Reviews

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great biography of Jeb Stuart, this book is more about Stuart and not so much about the civil war battles although you can't really separate the two. I really enjoyed the book and its nice to be reading some non fiction especially since I'm so interested in the Civil War. I cried when Jeb was shot even though he's been dead for 146 years! Next book I'll read will be on Robert E. Lee.

[Dale · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good lay down of the man, but the strength of the book is in the couching of the story in the operational environment of the civil war campaigns he participated in.

[Dennis Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Custer of the Confederacy

J.E.B. Stuart was a brilliant and hardworking cavalry general. Wert does a great job showing Stuart's humanity, his leadership and his flaws. The greatest of which was his vainglory. That was perhaps the saddest part of Wert's very fine biography, to see such a great soldier let his desire for acclaim get in the way of making good decisions at important moments - most certainly a lesson in leadership and something to be cognizant of in assessing leadership both military and civilian. Wert does a great job characterizing Stuart, both in his relationships with his peers and his family, in a nicely crafted narrative biography. A commendable and balanced work.

[Jim Doyle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very good and thorough content within the book. Excellent biography on JEB. Lacking in graphic representations of the battles described within it's pages. Wert outlines important and complicated battles with well organized prose, but without the visual depiction of a map or battle sketch it is extremely difficult to follow. If he had included maps depicting the battles he describes in great detail, this biography could have been among the best

[Pat Phelps · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall I thought Wert’s book was good. I felt the author was fair to Stuart’s life and service during the Civil War. I did feel Wert, at times, did not do a great job of keeping the actions of the Confederate Army and the Confederate cavalry separate in their engagements. Particularly since this book was about a Confederate cavalry commander, I would have liked to have seen more emphasis (at times) actually on Stuart, and his cavalry. Another interesting point Wert makes, is mention of Stuart, and his rather large concern for recognition. That was a very enlightening topic, that’s seems to have infected many of the Confederate officers during the Civil War.

Overall, I would rate this book as a four star, and recommend the book to anyone with an interest in Stuart. I found it enjoyable and very enlightening.

[Tim Armstrong · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was only okay. It was interesting enough but wasn't overly engaging. A large chunk of the narrative focuses on the Gettysburg Campaign which I guess is appropriate as it's Stuart's most controversial time.

The book also suffers from an unfortunately title and cover design.

[David Engel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good expansion of the general information about Stuart. Story was well told and held my interest.

[Deb · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish the book had went more into his personal life.

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stuart was audacious but overrated. Forrest and several Union cavalry leaders were better. Well researched and written.

Publishers Weekly Review:
Wert (The Sword of Lincoln) adds to his status as a top-ranking Civil War scholar in this excellent biography of the Confederacy's best-known cavalry general. Jeb Stuart's reputation has faded somewhat in recent years, particularly for his alleged failures during the Gettysburg campaign. Wert integrates comprehensive archival and printed sources to describe a man shaped by a zest for life, religious faith and devotion to duty, who from his youth sought achievement and recognition. Soldiering promised both. The initial dominance of Confederate cavalry in the east during the Civil War was a product of Stuart's skills as leader and organizer, trainer and tactician. Above all he was a master at reconnaissance and screening. His decision at Gettysburg to ride around the Union army instead of rejoining Robert E. Lee was a mistake. But its serious consequences were in good part due to Lee's dependence on his now-absent source of reconnaissance, and the Union cavalry's ability to learn from repeated defeat at Stuart's hands. Wert's biography goes far in restoring Stuart's claim to be the greatest cavalry officer ever foaled in America.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cavalryman of the Lost Cause by Jeffry Wert covers the life of J.E.B. Stuart the great cavalry general of the Confederacy. If Stonewall Jackson was the right arm of Lee then Stuart was the left and Wert takes great care and detail to show us why in this biography. Stuart was the undisputed master of cavalry tactics for the early part of the war and eventually the Union was able to train up their cavalry to meet his but for the early part of the war he simply dominated the battle field. His flaws and vanity are shown throughout the book and he does a great job of showing why Stuart made the decisions he did. Overall among the better biographies on Stuart and well worth the time from one of the great Civil War historians.

[Mark Harden · Rating 4 out of 5]

I almost gave up half way through. Up to that point, it is more narrative and little analysis. I wanted detailed description of Stuart’s tactics and cavalry methods. But I said to myself I have to read through Gettysburg to see what the author says about Stuart’s raid. I’m glad I did, because the second half was far more interesting and informative. Stuart was such a conflicting character: vain and ambitious but devoted and fearless in battle. Loved the attention of the ladies but was faithful to his wife and children. Partied, danced and sang but never touched alcohol. In the end, he was of great service to Lee, the Army of Northern Virginia and the South. This book does a good job of conveying the richness of Stuart’s life and service.

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It has been a LONG time since I have read a biography for pleasure. It was recommended by a friend on another forum so I decided to try it. I do like the civil war and I like to read about it, especially the southern generals. It was a good read that kept me entertained and also taught me a few things about General Stuart.

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Virginian Hero

The book is so real and intense you feel you are at the General's side the whole time. It demonstrates great depth into the, man that was the confederate knight. By living in Virginia in the areas fought and died in. History was made alive for the places written of.

[Jeremey M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyable look into the life of one of the great heroes of the 1800's.

If I had any real criticism of the book it would be the lack of maps, and the placement of them within the book. The maps provided are often lacking and can break immersion within the reading.

Other than this it was very nicely written.

[Jeffrey Belcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always known the basics of Jeb Stuart, but this book gave extensive insight to the man. Not only aspects of the war that I hadn't quite known, but of the man. Good must read for anyone interested in the Civil War.

[Chad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting biography of J.E.B. Stuart from his early years to his death. His marriage, realtionships to Jackson and Robert E. Lee and his rivalries all paint an all too human portrait of a man who I previously never knew.

[Amy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I love all things about the civil war, but I tried & tried and just couldn't get into this book.

[Avis Black · Rating 1 out of 5]

If you like a junior-high-level biography written by an author who thinks it's dangerous to trust his readers with too much knowledge or let them think for themselves, go ahead.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This handsome soldier was another waste of life in a war that had to be. He was an interesting soul and had a lot in common with Stonewall Jackson. Interesting book, great time line info.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!

[Dan Paget · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good overall biography

Good overall biography of JEB Stuart for those who want to learn about this General. It's a good read and it is easy to follow

[Jack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting account of JEB Stuart’s life and his role in the civil war. The only criticism is the performance of the books narrator, who read in a monotone and consistently mispronounced Virginia locations. The book itself was interesting and did a great job describing the action and the toll that years of combat and losses of family and friends had on Stuart and his contemporaries. Sad that such gallant men fought for a misplaced cause