I hope to get a few more chapters drafted for my Southern Cross manuscript this week. I also wanted to share a couple posts before I disappear into my cyber-cave. In keeping with my recent pledge of “less of me” and “more for thee,” I have posted a vignette on the Reverend Beverly Tucker Lacy below, and I wanted to add this short tid-bit on one of my other favorite’s, J.E.B. Stuart.
I have another online chat coming up that deals specifically with the spiritual-side of the Southern Knight, and I wanted to share just a few of my insights with those who will not be attending the CWHC event:
“Now, I will be the first to acknowledge that there are some very good academic historians out there who don’t really credit religion as a primary factor in the life of James Ewell Brown Stuart. This is somewhat “understandable” as The Southern Knight was not as outwardly pious as his commanding officer General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson was. Still, I have found through my own research that spirituality did play a major role in the backbone of what made Stuart the man that we remember today. (Thus my subtitle for my book on the subject: “The Spiritual Legacy of J.E.B. Stuart.”)”
“Through the use of personal letters, and memoirs that were written by those who knew Stuart best, I tried to present a more intimate portrait of the General. I wanted to present the J.E.B. Stuart that his mother and his wife knew - and the J.E.B. Stuart that his close friends and subordinates knew. You see, more than just some outlandish cavalier, Stuart was first and foremost, a man of faith, a man of duty, and a man of devotion: devotion to his family, devotion to his country, and devotion to his men. This was the “brick and mortar” of his character and in my opinion, these admirable traits are what enabled him to rise to such legendary heights both on the battlefield and off.”
“Stuart was not without faults though - none of us are. He was also a prideful man, a stubborn man, and even conceited at times. By examining his lineage, upbringing, and pre-war experiences, you will see through the flashy red cloak, and flowing black-feathered hat, at the real man buried beneath that magnificent cinnamon beard. This is the story of J.E.B. Stuart the Christian – more than just the Cavalier.”
- Excerpts taken from “Christian Cavalier” by M. Aubrecht, Copyright 2007
My one-hour presentation follows, but I quoted the introduction here as a way of outlining the reasons why I choose to focus on this aspect of Stuart’s life. There’s more to this man’s legacy than glorious charges, and rides around the Union army. Much more. And like many of his contemporaries, I believe that we tend to get so caught up in their exploits on the battlefield, that we forget there was more to their character than just soldiering. After all, generals are people too.
Last week, I was reading the latest Sons of Confederate Veterans newsletter (Army of Northern Virginia), which featured a very nice article written by Chaplain Mark Evans on Stuart’s beliefs. He wrote, “The fearless, fun loving, General J.E.B. Stuart, Chief of Cavalry, Army of Northern Virginia, had a depth of spirituality that is often overlooked. Chaplain J. William Jones said: ‘Stuart was a humble and earnest Christian, who took Christ as his personal Savior, lived a stainless life, and died a triumphant death. He used to attend our Chaplains' Association when he could, take a deep interest in its proceedings, and manifested the liveliest concern for the spiritual welfare of his men.’"
He added, “Chaplain Jones gave this tribute: "And thus the dashing soldier quietly 'fell on sleep,' and left behind the record of a noble life, and a simple trust in Christ --- the prophecy of a blissful immortality, where charging squadrons and clashing sabers never disturb the 'rest that remaineth for the people of God.'"
- Excerpts taken from "SCV: Army of Northern Virginia" by Chaplain Mark Evans, Copyright 2007
Was Stuart “fanatical” in the pursuit of his faith like Jackson? Probably not. But did religion play a pivotal role in his journey toward greatness? Absolutely. Stuart was a cavalier, but more importantly he was a Christian. For more – much more on this subject, please keep an eye out for the dates and times for my chat at the CWHC. I’d love to “see” you there.