The Wounding of Jeb Stuart

The Wounding of Jeb Stuart. . , Stuart observed the action with his attention firmly fixed on the disiant woods where Custer was deploying his men. He then ordered up Gen Fitzhugh Lee and the First Virginia Cavalry to meet the Union advance., Thunder from the storm roared in competition with the guns. A Virginia soldier remarked, "The lightning and cannonading were so terrific, that sometimes we couldn't tell the flash of one from the other." He went on to describe the desperate situation for the soldiers, "The rain was just pouring and often the ammunition would get so wet, as we were loading our guns, they wouldn't fire." Custer and his Wolverine horsemen continued up Telegraph Road vaulting over a barricade and splashing through the small stream of Turner's Run., Stuart rode unaccompanied towards the action taking place and urged the exhausted artillerists to keep up the fight. The soldiers around Stuart warned their commander that the general was exposing himself to enemy fire, stressing the need for him to move back to a safer position., Stuart laughed, "I don't reckon there is any danger!", A sudden advance of Union men falling back to a safer position from the assault of Gen. Fitzhugh Lee's cavalry came rushing directly in front of Stuart towards the bridge over Turner's Run. Stuart drew his pistol and began firing at the fleeing Michigan soldiers running along the roadway. He repeatedly called encouragement to his troopers beside him, shouting, "Steady, men, steady; give it to them!", Among the retreating Union soldiers running towards Turner's Run was a dismounted soldier, probably with the First or Seventh Michigan. The unidentified soldier fired his pistol and mortally wounded Stuart with a single shot. Inconclusive research suggests that the soldier who fired the shot was Private John A. Huff, a sharpshooter with Custer's Fifth Michigan Cavalry. As of this date, the identity of the shooter is unconfirmed., Stll seated on his horse, Stuart clutched his side as he instructed his men to, "Go and tell General Fitz Lee and Dr. Fontaine to come here.", Gen. Fitzhugh Lee on arrival saw that the whole side of Stuart's body was soaked with blood. The severity of Stuart's wound would make him unable to continue command of the Confederate action at Yellow Tavern. The command would now fall to Fitzhugh Lee. Stuart reached out to his trusted friend and said "Go ahead, Fitz, old fellow, I know you will do what is right!", As General Stuart was taken from the field he saw his disorganized Confederate troops scattering in retreat. Prostrate, Stuart wrathfully shouted out as forcefully as he was able: "Go back, go back and do your duty, as I have done mine, and our country will be safe. Go back, go back! I had rather die than be whipped."