J.E.B. Stuart Room

Like his intimate friend, Stonewall Jackson, General Stuart was a legendary figure, ranking as one of the greatest cavalry commanders of all time. Stuart was a son-in-law of Brigadier General Philip St. George Cooke of the Union service; his wife’s brother was Brigadier General John Rogers Cooke of the Confederacy. He was survived by his wife and his children, J.E.B. Stuart Jr. and Virginia Pelham Stuart. His widow, Flora Cooke Stuart, would wear the black of mourning for the remaining 49 years of her life.

A statue of General J.E.B. Stuart by sculptor Frederick Moynihan was dedicated on Richmond’s famed Monument Avenue at Stuart Circle in 1907. Like General Stonewall Jackson, his equestrian statue faces north, indicating that he died in the War. The U.S. Army named two models of World War II tanks, the M3 and M5, the “Stuart Tank” in their old adversary’s honor.

Another fun fact: On the television show The Dukes of Hazzard, one of the Duke cousins (who only appears in one episode) is named “Jeb Stuart Duke.”

Also, in the long-running comic book “GI Combat” featuring “The Haunted Tank,” published by DC Comics from the 1960s through the late 1980s, the ghost of General Stuart guided a tank crew (first a Stuart, later a Sherman) commanded by his namesake “Lt. Jeb Stuart.” The General always gave sage, yet vague advice at the beginning of every adventure and appeared at the end, but rarely between. Only the tank commander could see the General. His crew tolerated their commander’s eccentricity so long as it got them through the war. In honor of the General, Lt. Stuart flew a confederate flag from his tank’s antenna.