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Virginia Military Institute Archives
Virginia Military Institute Archives© 2001 Virginia Military Institute
Funding: Web version of the finding aid funded in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Processed by: Diane B. Jacob
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William D. Stuart Papers, MS 0108, Virginia Military Institute Archives, Lexington, Virginia.
The William D. Stuart Papers were donated to VMI in 1961 by Mary Venable Stuart (Mrs. William Dabney Stuart III). Mrs. Stuart's husband was the grandson of the Col. William D. Stuart.
The bulk of the Stuart Papers are available in full-text format on the VMI Archives website at: http://www.vmi.edu/archives.aspx?id=10447
The William D. Stuart papers were originally in the possession of Stuart's widow, and were passed down through the family before being donated to VMI.
William Dabney Stuart was born September 30, 1830 at Staunton, Virginia, the son of Thomas Jefferson Stuart and Martha M. Dabney. He did preparatory work at the Staunton Academy and then entered the Virginia Military Institute as a cadet in July 1847. Stuart graduated from VMI in July 1850, standing 3rd in a class of 17. Following graduation he taught at VMI (1850-1853) and was subsequently principal of classical schools in Washington D.C. and Richmond, Virginia. He married Frances Harris of Loudon Co., VA; the couple had three children--Martha, Mary Bell, and William. During the Civil War Stuart briefly commanded the 15th Virginia Infantry Regiment, and was then appointed Colonel, 56th Virginia Infantry Regiment, Confederate States Army. He was mortally wounded at Gettysburg during Pickett's Charge, and died in a hospital in Staunton, VA on July 29, 1863.
The bulk of the collection consists of the Civil War papers (ca. 60 items), 1861-1863, of Colonel William Dabney Stuart. The papers contain correspondence to and from various Confederate Army officers; morning and guard reports; military orders; and invoices and receipts documenting his brief service with the 15th Virginia Infantry Regiment and his command of the 56th Virginia Infantry Regiment. Miscellaneous other items include letters of recommendation for a United States Army Commission, 1850; a letter from Gabriel Jordan, Jr. (VMI Class of 1850) to Stuart, dated November 1854; and misc. printed materials.
The papers are arranged by document type and chronologically thereunder.
From VMI Superintendent Francis H. Smith, endorsing Stuart's application for a commission in the U.S. Army
From Thomas H. Williamson, VMI Professor of Engineering, endorsing Stuart's application for a commission in the U.S. Army.
From VMI Professor John T. L. Preston, endorsing Stuart's application for a commission in the U.S. Army
From Stuart's VMI classmate, Gabriel Jordan, Jr. A personal letter commenting on their respective marriages, jobs, future prospects.
From Stuart's VMI classmate, Gabriel Jordan, Jr. A personal letter commenting on their respective marriages, jobs, future prospects.
To Virginia Governor John Letcher asking for an appointment in the Army in the event of secession.
Special Orders No. 81, from HQ, Virginia Forces, Richmond. Stuart is assigned to duty with troops at the camp of instruction.
From three individuals (David or Daniel Walker, Samuel Bailey, James E. Burress) to Stuart, expressing regret at Stuart's resignation as commanding officer of the Richmond City Guard.
Unofficial, from Col. William Gilham to unidentified Col., regarding placement of Stuart and other officers. Written from the Camp of Instruction, Richmond.
From Q.M. Dept., Richmond (Capt. Maury Garland) to Stuart, regarding materials to make a tent.
From Maj. G. B. Cosby, HQ Williamsburg, to Col. Stuart (Commanding 15th Va. Regt. at King's Mill), ordering Stuart to work on fortifications at King's Mill.
Special Orders No. 222. From HQ, Youngs Farm, regarding payment of troops and powers of attorney. By command of Genl. Magruder, signed by G. B. Cosby, A.A.A.G.
Special Orders No. 280. From Adjutant Inspector General's office, Richmond. Stuart is promoted and assigned to the command of the 56th Virginia Regiment.
Stuart to Col. George W. Munford; is honored to receive flag for his regiment.
Special orders No. 232, from Adjt. Genl's office, Richmond, VA, by command of Secretary of War per John Withers. The 56th Virginia Infantry regiment ordered to Jeffersonville, VA to report to Brig. Genl. Marshall.
From BG Humphrey Marshall, HQ Brigade, Pound Gap, VA. Stuart ordered to move his regiment forward by Pound Gap towards Prestonsburg, Kentucky.
From QM Dept. at Wytheville (W. Gibboney), regarding wagons.
From CSA Transportation Office at Wytheville, VA (Capt. A. Meade Smith), transportation vouchers
From HQ Knoxville, TN; Stuart's regiment ordered to Nashville.
From Knoxville; Genl A. S. Johnson orders Stuart's regiment to remain with Gen. Marshall.
From Richmond, VA. Stuart's regiment to proceed to Pound Gap to report to Gen. Marshall.
Special Order No. 8. From HQ 1st Brigade, Army of Eastern KY, Camp near Paintville, by order of Gen. Marshall. Stuart's regiment to move immediately without further delay.
From Brig. Gen. Humphrey Marshall, written at Paintville, KY. Stuart must move his regiment without delay; Marshall facing a superior force and needs reinforcements at once.
From Adjutant and Inspector General's Office, Richmond, VA. Stuart directed by Secretary of War to report to Gen. Marshall.
From Lt. Col. Philip P. Slaughter, concerning orders to go to Pound Gap. " ...it is a source of the greatest mortification to me to find that...we are totally impotent..."
From Lt. Col. Philip P. Slaughter to Brig. Gen. Marshall, regarding contradictory orders, illness of Stuart and men. Written from Abingdon, VA.
From Regimental Surgeon Marion Howard to Stuart (who is recovering from illness), written at Abingdon, VA. Reporting on sickness in regiment, men in hospital.
Special Order No. 1, from Adjt. and Inspector Genl's office, Richmond. Col. Stuart's regiment detached from Gen. Marshall's command and will proceed to Bowling Green, Kentucky to Gen. A. S. Johnston.
Lt. Col. Philip P. Slaughter to Stuart (recovering from illness); with enclosed order dated Jan 2. Regarding order to proceed to Bowling Green; praise servant Jacob; Stuart's personal belongings.
To Genl. Cooper from Stuart, regarding confusion in orders to 56th Virginia and refuting statements that he had refused transportation for his command.
Certificate of disability for Private William T. Cross, Company E.
From Capt. Briscoe G. Baldwin to Col. Mackall, A.A.G. re: Stuart rejoining his regiment after severe illness.
General Order No. 246, from HQ, Floyd's Division, Chattanooga. Reenlisted men entitled to a 60 day furlough, but this may be suspended in case of "collision with the enemy."
General Order No. 27 (extract), from HQ, Floyd's Division, Camp Bettie Childress. Regarding movement of the command via rail.
Special Order, From HQ, Floyd's Division, Knoxville. Gen. Floyd relieved of command; regimental commanders to report to Col. George Maney.
From Col. George Maney; Stuart to hold regiment ready to move and report on the strength of his command.
Stuart directed by Col. Maney to "take command of all the forces here, formerly of Genl Floyd's command, in the movement towards Jacksboro."
Special order, HQ Knoxville. Stuart to move tomorrow on the road to Clinton.
Special order, HQ Knoxville. Stuart to hold command (36th, 50th, 51st and 56th Virginia Regiments) in readiness to move towards Jacksboro.
Stuart not to move his command until further orders.
From Col. George Maney. Order to march towards Clinton is revoked.
From Maj. General Marshall, at Lebanon. "...Your vindicating note has been successful, I imagine, in proving that you did not delay marching last winter intentionally, but the failure to join me was a great misfortune to this command. I am ready however to look forward and not backward..."
John B. Floyd to Stuart, regarding releasing sick soldier (Hanshew, 50th Virginia Regt) to go home with his father.
W. R. Abbot to Stuart, requesting recommendation to enter army and relaying family news.
From John B. Floyd, regarding discharge of underage soldier.
From Alfred L. Rives, Acting Chief, Engineering Bureau, Richmond, to Secretary of War George W. Randolph, commending Stuart, with endorsement by Randolph specifically commending his gallantry at Battle of Bethel.
From R. B. Garnett, at Winchester, acknowledging receipt of report of battle of South Mountain and expressing personal regard.
From Thomas D. Jeffress, Provost Marshall's Office, Lynchburg, protesting his possible return to the Regiment.
From George C. Cabell, 18th Virginia Regiment, regarding a report in which he erroneously commended Capt. Jeffress.
To Gen. Cooper from Lt. F. W. Nelson, Commanding Company A, 56th Virginia, requesting 25 conscripts to fill reduced ranks.
From S. D. Cronin, 1st Lieut. Company I, 56th Virginia Regt., in camp near Petersburg, requesting to be absent from duty to see to business at home.
From F. W. Nelson, Lieut. Company A, 56th Virginia Regt., requesting leave of absence to visit his home in Mecklenburg Co.
From Nathaniel A. Flournoy, Co. K, 56th Va., to Stuart, written after the Battle of Gettysburg. Comments on casualties in regiment, wishes Stuart well, hopes he will succeed Gen. Garnett.
From R. L. Owens, Richmond, regarding search of trains for stolen coffee.
For 1st. Lieut. George W. May, Company C. 56th VA, for period Dec. 8-31, 1861
For 1st. Lieut. George W. May, Company C. 56th VA for period Jan 1-31, 1862.
Includes draft of speech given upon presentation of flag to 56th Virginia, court-martial specifications and misc. other documents (7 items total).