William D. Stuart Papers

Collection

Identifier: MS-0108

Staff Only

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.

Dates

1850;1854;1861-1863

Creator

Stuart, William D. (William Dabney), 1830-1863 (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

There are no restrictions.

Conditions Governing Use

Manuscript collections in the VMI Archives are made available for educational and research use. The VMI Archives should be cited as the source. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright holders. Materials from our collections may not be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives. Contact the VMI Archives for additional information.

Extent

60 items (ca. 60 items in one box)

Additional Description

Biographical / Historical

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.

Arrangement

The papers are arranged by document type and chronologically thereunder.

Physical Location

Manuscripts Stacks

Provenance

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.