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| 8.5" X 11" Limited Edition Print Signed and Numbered (of 100) |
| James Ewell Brown (J.E.B.) Stuart |
When it comes to Confederate pride, few rank higher than cavalry General James Ewell
Brown, or Jeb, Stuart. While every subject I’ve chosen for this art series has left his
personal stamp in the annals of history because of military prowess or tactical genius, my
personal focus is to promote and preserve that human element of these great men that
sometimes gets lost in the legends of fame and lore. Jeb Stuart’s legacy is flooded with
stories of his daring and bravery, yet the things that draw me to him the most are his
spirit, joviality, and that deep sense of duty to God and country which was admired by so
many people who knew him.
I found this excerpt from a book about the Christian testimony of Jeb. Stuart, written by
Dr. Edward R. DeVries, which I think captures a wonderful snapshot of the General’s
attitude and character. It speaks of a man thoughtful of even the slightest offense to
others, dispelling a common misconception about Stuart’s so-called vanity. I feel it adds
a sense of nobility even to that misunderstood side of him. The passage follows in part:
“J.E.B. Stuart was known for his “interesting” wardrobe. Many historians have imagined that
Stuart wore so many “fancies” because he was a show-off. Nothing could be further from the
truth. The fancy hat, the sash, the golden spurs, and every other do-dad that Stuart wore he put
on only because they were gifts from neighbors and influential members of society.
“When J.E.B. Stuart went to town he wore everything that anyone had ever given him just in case
they would happen to see him. He did not want for any of his neighbors to be offended should
they see him and he was not wearing their gift.
“Since combat photography as we know it would not be invented until the Spanish-American War,
most of the photographs taken during the War Between the States were taken in town, at
headquarters, and occasionally in camp - but almost never in battle. So nearly all of the wartime
photographs of Stuart were taken when he was in town and dressed up for the sake of his friends
and neighbors. The one and only known photograph to be taken of General Stuart in combat
shows him to be dressed very plainly. He was wearing a simple pair of gray trousers, a plaid
flannel shirt, his sword, and a pistol holster.”
Is it any wonder that, upon Stuart’s death by wounds inflicted on him during the battle of Yellow
Tavern in 1864, Robert E. Lee commented that he could scarcely think of him without weeping,
and eulogized him in the following way:
“To the military capacity of high order, General Stuart added the brighter graces of a pure life
guided and sustained by the Christian’s faith and hope.”
Brown, or Jeb, Stuart. While every subject I’ve chosen for this art series has left his
personal stamp in the annals of history because of military prowess or tactical genius, my
personal focus is to promote and preserve that human element of these great men that
sometimes gets lost in the legends of fame and lore. Jeb Stuart’s legacy is flooded with
stories of his daring and bravery, yet the things that draw me to him the most are his
spirit, joviality, and that deep sense of duty to God and country which was admired by so
many people who knew him.
I found this excerpt from a book about the Christian testimony of Jeb. Stuart, written by
Dr. Edward R. DeVries, which I think captures a wonderful snapshot of the General’s
attitude and character. It speaks of a man thoughtful of even the slightest offense to
others, dispelling a common misconception about Stuart’s so-called vanity. I feel it adds
a sense of nobility even to that misunderstood side of him. The passage follows in part:
“J.E.B. Stuart was known for his “interesting” wardrobe. Many historians have imagined that
Stuart wore so many “fancies” because he was a show-off. Nothing could be further from the
truth. The fancy hat, the sash, the golden spurs, and every other do-dad that Stuart wore he put
on only because they were gifts from neighbors and influential members of society.
“When J.E.B. Stuart went to town he wore everything that anyone had ever given him just in case
they would happen to see him. He did not want for any of his neighbors to be offended should
they see him and he was not wearing their gift.
“Since combat photography as we know it would not be invented until the Spanish-American War,
most of the photographs taken during the War Between the States were taken in town, at
headquarters, and occasionally in camp - but almost never in battle. So nearly all of the wartime
photographs of Stuart were taken when he was in town and dressed up for the sake of his friends
and neighbors. The one and only known photograph to be taken of General Stuart in combat
shows him to be dressed very plainly. He was wearing a simple pair of gray trousers, a plaid
flannel shirt, his sword, and a pistol holster.”
Is it any wonder that, upon Stuart’s death by wounds inflicted on him during the battle of Yellow
Tavern in 1864, Robert E. Lee commented that he could scarcely think of him without weeping,
and eulogized him in the following way:
“To the military capacity of high order, General Stuart added the brighter graces of a pure life
guided and sustained by the Christian’s faith and hope.”