J. E. B. (“Jeb”) Stuart Character Analysis in The Killer Angels

Stuart is a Lieutenant General with the Confederate Cavalry. A gifted and self-confident soldier but also flashy, he thinks of war as more of a game. His assignment is to keep Lee informed of Union movements, but instead he spends his time joyriding, skirmishing, and capturing enemy wagons, only appearing in Gettysburg on the evening of the second day of battle, to the great detriment of Confederate intelligence. Though Longstreet and others want to see Stuart court-martialed for his negligence, Lee only reprimands him, feeling that a military trial would crush Stuart’s spirit, and that he is too valuable to the cause for that.

J. E. B. (“Jeb”) Stuart Character Timeline in The Killer Angels

The timeline below shows where the character J. E. B. (“Jeb”) Stuart appears in The Killer Angels. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...in danger. Lee, however, does not believe in spies, having placed his trust in Jeb Stuart. As he prepares to see the General, Longstreet reflects that he had never believed in... (full context)

...is reluctant to act on the intelligence of a paid spy and to believe that Stuart would have left the army blind. (full context)

...tree nearby, watching and resting. He is bothered by the army’s blindness, thanks to Jeb Stuart’s failure to return. Longstreet’s chief of staff, Sorrel, informs him that union cavalry were sighted... (full context)

...prepare himself for death. A messenger reports that there has been no rumor of Jeb Stuart. He also reports that there has been word of Union cavalry in Gettysburg, but that... (full context)

...begins to work on a withdrawal plan, feeling agitated about the lack of news from Stuart. He waits for news from General Harry Heth, hearing fighting ahead and unsure what Heth... (full context)

...horse, since they cannot spare another commanding officer. The regiment marches past dead bodies where Stuart had skirmished with some Union soldiers. The weary men see a haze on the horizon,... (full context)

Missing Stonewall Jackson and giving up on word from Stuart, Lee says that they will have to attack. He leaves his officers and rides off... (full context)

...injuries like Ewell’s loss of his leg. Lee briefly second-guesses the wisdom of attacking before Stuart’s return, but finally falls asleep. (full context)

...that he doesn’t know much about the approach, thanks to the lack of intelligence from Stuart. Longstreet encourages him to do his best and broods about Stuart, thinking he ought to... (full context)

...them within sight of the Union army. Longstreet takes over scouting, becoming increasingly angry at Stuart as he goes. By the time he finds a new position and begins to place... (full context)

...he rides toward Lee’s headquarters, he notices crowds, singing, and celebration. Then he sees Jeb Stuart. The handsome, well-dressed man is lounging among a crowd of admirers. Longstreet is bewildered when... (full context)

...him to intercede for him with Lee, who has refused to sign court-martial papers for Stuart. Stuart had been joyriding in enemy country, capturing enemy wagons and leaving the army blind.... (full context)

Jeb Stuart walks up, interrupting Lee’s thoughts. Lee has asked to see him. At first, he speaks... (full context)

Lee feels affection for Stuart as the chastened man walks away. He knows Longstreet will not approve, but Lee believes... (full context)

...hit that point as hard as possible, with artillery support. He is sure that with Stuart’s eagerness for redemption and Pickett’s hunger for combat, fresh men can successfully rout the dug-in... (full context)

Pickett is profoundly moved; like Stuart, he is a soldier who “looked on war as God’s greatest game.” Armistead walks away,... (full context)