War Years with Jeb Stuart

by W.W. Blackford

Characterized by precision of statement and clarity of detail, W.W. Blackford's memoir of his service in the Civil War is one of the most valuable to come out of Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia. It also provides a critically important perspective on one of the best-known Confederate cavalrymen, Major General J.E.B. Stuart.Blackford was thirty years old when the war began, and he served from June 1861, until January, 1864, as Stuart's adjutant, developing a close relationship with Lee's cavalry commander. He subsequently was a chief engineer and a member of the staff at the cavalry headquarters. Because Stuart was mortally wounded in 1864, he did not leave a personal account of his career. Blackford's memoir, therefore, is a vital supplement to Stuart's wartime correspondence and reports.In a vivid style, Blackford describes the life among the cavalrymen, including scenes of everyday camp life and portraits of fellow soldiers both famous and obscure. He presents firsthand accounts of, among others, the battles of First Bull Run, the Peninsular campaign, Second Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, the Wilderness, and Cold Harbor, and describes his feelings at witnessing the surrender at Appomattox.It is not certain precisely when Blackford penned his memoir, but evidence suggests it was before 1896. The book was originally published in 1945, four decades after his death, but until now has never been reprinted.

Genres: Civil War, History, American Civil War, Nonfiction, American History, Civil War History, War

350 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1945

Reviews

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

"In all human probability the election of Lincoln would have been accomplished without serious results but for the spark that applied to the inflamed public mind, at that time, by John Brown's crazy attempt at instigating the negroes of Virginia to servile inssurrection.
So far as the negroes were concerned the attempt was a perfect failure, and Brown was caught and hung as he deserved; but what was the surprise of the people of the South to see his course endorsed by a large portion of the northern people - to see requiems over the death of the "martyred hero", as they called him, from pulpit, press, and rostrum, and bells tolling from the steeples in almost every large city in the North the day he was hanged.....That a large part of our countrymen should allow themselves to sympathize with a plot involving the indiscriminate rape of innocent women, their subsequent murder, and the murder of all children, before the men of the country could collect or prevent it, is a stain forever upon our country." This was numbered at 61 murders and the end of emancipation talk and vote in the south.

"I was opposed to secession and voted against the secession candidate to the convention, Ex-Gov. John B Floyd. I thought Lincoln, though a sectional candidate, was constitutionally elected and that we ought to have waited to see what he would do. But when he called for troops from Virginia and we had to take one side or the other, then of course I was for going with the South in her mad scheme, right or wrong."

"While I rode among the wounded of the enemy, some begged so piteously for water that I collected their canteens and filled them for them. Several, who were expecting death, asked me to write for them to their friends, but this I had not the time to do, nor can I say that I felt much inclination. I recognized the claims of humanity and was willing to minister to the sufferings of a wounded soldier, but writing to his friends they had left to come as invaders of our soil was going a little too far. I drew the line at letters."

After terms of surrender:
"Towards sundown General Lee mounted his dapple-gray horse Traveller and started to his headquarters a mile to the rear; and now occurred a most remarkable exhibition of the affection entertained towards him by his army, and a display of deep feeling on the part of large bodies of men which I suppose has been rarely equaled in history. Along the road, on the hills on each side, between the orchard and the headquarters, our army was encamped. The men had been lying in camp all day brooding over what had happened, and eating Uncle Sam's bread and meat. Being rested and fed, there was room for sentiment.
When they saw the well-known figure of General Lee approaching, there was a general rush from each side to the road to greet him as he passed, and two solid walls of men were formed along the whole distance. Their officers followed and behind the lines of men were groups of them, mounted and dismounted, awaiting his coming. I saw something unusual was about to happen..keeping a short distance behind, but near enough to hear what was said as General Lee passed. As soon as he entered the avenue of these old soldiers, the flower of his army, the men who had stood to their duty through thick and thin in so many battles, wild heartfelt cheers arose which so touched General Lee that tears filled his eyes and trickled down his cheeks as he rode his splendid charger, hat in hand, bowing his acknowledgments. This exhibition of feeling on his part found quick response from the men, whose cheers changed to choking sobs as with streaming eyes and many cries of affection they waved their hats as he passed."

"One man, I remember, extended his arms and with an emphatic gesture said," I love you just as well as ever, General Lee.""

[Ted Greiner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating details from someone who was involved from the beginning to the end of the Civil War. Example: After Stuart was killed, Blackford was placed second in command of an engineering regiment. One never hears of the Crater incident having any positive effect for the Union. But it actually scared the otherwise battle hardened and brave rebel soldiers. They developed a tool and spent a lot of time digging countermines beneath their positions, filling them with water, and only then feeling safe from having a load of explosives placed under their feet. In addition, hundreds of soldiers from the engineer regiment wasted many weeks doing countermining to try finding if any more were being placed.

[Neil Crowle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very interesting memoir by a man who was in both the Confederate Cavalry and the Engineers Corps. His attitudes are fascinating because they clearly reflect those of many Southerners of the time. Blackford gives us a full account of his service and many of the personalities he worked with. This is a good exercise in History and in reading between the lines a little to avoid accepting bias.

[RICHARD CLARK · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eyewitness Account

Clear-eyed description of the entire war from one who survived it all. Being in the cavalry placed him at the point of the spear most times and in very close to Stuart. Surprisingly, duty wasn’t too bad for officers. As usual, the infantrymen weren’t so fortunate. Good read.

[Ellen Gonsalves · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It is not all about who was located where during a particular battle, but more like actually BEING with Stuart. Strongly recommend. Possibly my third favorite Civil War book ever.

[Robin Thistle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent incite at heart of the confederate army

Wonderful stories that bring the reader to those times like no other book I've read. The perfect person to tell the storyline.

[Gwen Hight · Rating 4 out of 5]

War Years wHen Stuart

This is a memoir of a ex confederate soldier in the civil war and the years with his comrades and Jeb Stuart

[Kjǫlsigʀ · Rating 4 out of 5]

An invaluable primary source to compare with other firsthand data, full of priceless insights and anecdotes both historically and presently relevant.

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

An authentic first person narrative.

It is refreshing to stumble onto an apparently genuine military narrative not containing moral overtones or social justifications. Many of the descriptions of violent battle are horrific but ring of reality. Describes a truly different era and war.

[Mark J. Kradel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good personal view. Writer does not pretend to write history of war but focuses on his own personal experiences. in his view Stuart could do no wrong, but given the personal nature of the writing that comes across Ok. Easy to read.

[Ronda Wian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay

The civil war a Nation divided ride with J.E.B. him self and Blackford all through the war. Start to finish