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I Rode With Jeb Stuart: The Life And Campaigns Of Major General J. E. B. Stuart
Major General J. E. B. Stuart (1833–1864) was one of the Confederacy’s greatest horsemen, soldiers, and heroes. As early as First Manassas (Bull Run) he was contributing significantly to the Confederate victory; he subsequently displayed his daring and brilliance in the battles of Second Manassas, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and Brandy Station—the most significant cavalry battle of the war, and Stuart’s finest moment. General Lee depended on Stuart for knowledge of the enemy, for, as he said, Stuart never brought him a piece of false information. But Stuart was mortally wounded at Yellow Tavern in May 1864. Not since the death of Stonewall Jackson had the South sustained so great a personal loss; his rollicking, infectious gaiety and hard fighting were sorely missed in the grim last days of Lee’s army. By all accounts, I Rode with Jeb Stuart is the most reliable and persuasive portrait of Stuart offered by a contemporary, and it is indispensable for any thorough knowledge of the great Confederate cavalryman.
476 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1958
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
May 8, 2026
I found 'I Rode with J.E.B Stuart' by a Major Henry B. McClellan at a library book sale--my wife would definitely say 'No, not ANOTHER Civil War book?!' But my first question was 'McClellan, I wonder if he was related to THAT McClellan (the famous Union General George B.)?' And surprisingly, yes! He was a first cousin, although considerably younger than the one-time commander of the Army of the Potomac and Presidential candidate in 1864. Another of those myriad interconnections that make the Civil War such a fascinating piece of American history. Young Henry (b. Philadelphia, 1840) was a graduate of Williams College (where my grandfather and 3 uncles went), and headed south in 1859 (as a tutor) to Cumberland County, Virginia. He never looked back apparently, joining the Confederacy and the 3rd VA Volunteer Cavalry, part of Stuart's command, at the outbreak of war in 1861.
This is a highly detailed and rather dense account written about 1880-1885 and quite well written in the subdued yet often eloquent style of that very literate generation. J.E.B (Johnathan Ewell Brown) Stuart was born in nearby Patrick County, VA and was the son of rather illustrious parents with ties on both sides to Revolutionary War participants. In fact, I learned early about a Revolutionary War cavalry 'battle' (or large skirmish) along the Yadkin River in northern NC, called the 'Battle of Shallow Ford' right near the river near the Yadkin County border with Forsyth County (which is the river). I knew then this was going to be a book rich in detail!
Anyway, back to Stuart and McClellan, a strange combo of names in the Civil War. As noted McClellan served in the 3rd VA Cavalry at lower ranks but became the 'General Adjutant' (basically the chief administrative officer) under Stuart at Chancellorsville when Major Channing Price was killed. He obviously had a good view beforehand but later had a 'front-row' seat thereafter until the very end Yellow Tavern in May '64. McClellan provides a rich narrative on the campaigns and seemingly endless skirmishes a but also includes numerous sidebars--letters, official battle reports and commentary from other participants providing additional or complementary context on the various events which were really quite in time.
The books provides detailed coverage and good maps of Stuart's great raids--the ride around the Army of the Potomac in the Peninsula in May of '62 and the so-called Chambersburg Raid in October of the same year. Also of course Stuart's 'raid' before Gettysburg that caused such controversy among the Southrons in the aftermath of the debacle. All three of these events are served nicely by maps but the incredibly confusing and desperate activities of Stuart's cavalry in the aftermath of of the Gettysburg are not. Often forgotten is how close the Army of Northern Virginia (ANV) was to annihilation in the days following the defeat in Pennsylvania. The re-crossing of the Potomac by the ANV was delayed by heavy rains and intense Union Cavalry pressure was applied resulting in chaotic cavalry battles at Monterey Pass, Boonsboro, and Funkstown. All are described in some detail but maps would have been helpful, though of course they are available online. I also ended up reading sections of the biography of JEB Stuart by Burke Davis, 'The Last Cavalier' (1957). Davis is perhaps more readable than McClellan but lacking much of the detail, especially the numerous official reports that McClellan includes. Much of Davis come straight out of McClellan! Davis also writes a nice Introduction in this edition.
He provides superb evidence of the Confederate disadvantages (in every arena of war) but specifically in Cavalry. By May, 1863 the Army of the Potomac under Hooker was able to field an entire Corps of Cavalry (~10,000 horse) under Gen. George Stoneman, whilst Stuart was down perhaps 2,000 effectives. The South was already unable to provide mounts in sufficient number to maintain an effective counter to the Union preponderance in this arena. He points out the utter absurdity the CSA horsemen, forced to replace their own own mounts (and unless the horse was KIA, pay for them) and return home to do so--bad enough in VA, crazy if you have to travel to SC or NC. 'Little' but important things like this you find out in this account. Of course, the CSA was also short of artillery, naval assets and of course men, they were simply running out of everything, even by 1863. The rationale for the Gettysburg campaign becomes more understandable.
McClellan's account written roughly 20 years after the war when numerous survivors on both sides would have been able to read it and he does at times air various contentious claims that emerged on both sides and takes time to both debunk and confirm various stories. I must say in comparing a couple of these more argumentative sections with current 'knowledge' he comes off as usually accurate and fair. The major weaknesses are in cartographic lacunae (although the maps that are there are quite good) and an assumption of familiarity with names on both sides that will not exist with neophytes and even confused an old grognard from time to time! I might say 3.5 stars but will round to 4. Hey, this book is 140+ years old and still a cracking good read of you have the interest!
This is a highly detailed and rather dense account written about 1880-1885 and quite well written in the subdued yet often eloquent style of that very literate generation. J.E.B (Johnathan Ewell Brown) Stuart was born in nearby Patrick County, VA and was the son of rather illustrious parents with ties on both sides to Revolutionary War participants. In fact, I learned early about a Revolutionary War cavalry 'battle' (or large skirmish) along the Yadkin River in northern NC, called the 'Battle of Shallow Ford' right near the river near the Yadkin County border with Forsyth County (which is the river). I knew then this was going to be a book rich in detail!
Anyway, back to Stuart and McClellan, a strange combo of names in the Civil War. As noted McClellan served in the 3rd VA Cavalry at lower ranks but became the 'General Adjutant' (basically the chief administrative officer) under Stuart at Chancellorsville when Major Channing Price was killed. He obviously had a good view beforehand but later had a 'front-row' seat thereafter until the very end Yellow Tavern in May '64. McClellan provides a rich narrative on the campaigns and seemingly endless skirmishes a but also includes numerous sidebars--letters, official battle reports and commentary from other participants providing additional or complementary context on the various events which were really quite in time.
The books provides detailed coverage and good maps of Stuart's great raids--the ride around the Army of the Potomac in the Peninsula in May of '62 and the so-called Chambersburg Raid in October of the same year. Also of course Stuart's 'raid' before Gettysburg that caused such controversy among the Southrons in the aftermath of the debacle. All three of these events are served nicely by maps but the incredibly confusing and desperate activities of Stuart's cavalry in the aftermath of of the Gettysburg are not. Often forgotten is how close the Army of Northern Virginia (ANV) was to annihilation in the days following the defeat in Pennsylvania. The re-crossing of the Potomac by the ANV was delayed by heavy rains and intense Union Cavalry pressure was applied resulting in chaotic cavalry battles at Monterey Pass, Boonsboro, and Funkstown. All are described in some detail but maps would have been helpful, though of course they are available online. I also ended up reading sections of the biography of JEB Stuart by Burke Davis, 'The Last Cavalier' (1957). Davis is perhaps more readable than McClellan but lacking much of the detail, especially the numerous official reports that McClellan includes. Much of Davis come straight out of McClellan! Davis also writes a nice Introduction in this edition.
He provides superb evidence of the Confederate disadvantages (in every arena of war) but specifically in Cavalry. By May, 1863 the Army of the Potomac under Hooker was able to field an entire Corps of Cavalry (~10,000 horse) under Gen. George Stoneman, whilst Stuart was down perhaps 2,000 effectives. The South was already unable to provide mounts in sufficient number to maintain an effective counter to the Union preponderance in this arena. He points out the utter absurdity the CSA horsemen, forced to replace their own own mounts (and unless the horse was KIA, pay for them) and return home to do so--bad enough in VA, crazy if you have to travel to SC or NC. 'Little' but important things like this you find out in this account. Of course, the CSA was also short of artillery, naval assets and of course men, they were simply running out of everything, even by 1863. The rationale for the Gettysburg campaign becomes more understandable.
McClellan's account written roughly 20 years after the war when numerous survivors on both sides would have been able to read it and he does at times air various contentious claims that emerged on both sides and takes time to both debunk and confirm various stories. I must say in comparing a couple of these more argumentative sections with current 'knowledge' he comes off as usually accurate and fair. The major weaknesses are in cartographic lacunae (although the maps that are there are quite good) and an assumption of familiarity with names on both sides that will not exist with neophytes and even confused an old grognard from time to time! I might say 3.5 stars but will round to 4. Hey, this book is 140+ years old and still a cracking good read of you have the interest!
February 2, 2020
Great read
I loved in Virginia for twenty years and have visited most of the battlefields mentioned. This book added Calvary detail to those battles that is somewhat missing at the sites.
I loved in Virginia for twenty years and have visited most of the battlefields mentioned. This book added Calvary detail to those battles that is somewhat missing at the sites.
October 6, 2020
Military memoir of Lee's legendary cavalry commander.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews