David Stuart (brigadier general)

For other people with the same name, see David Stuart (disambiguation).

David Stuart
Col. David Stuart
Born	(1816-03-12)March 12, 1816 Brooklyn, New York
Died	September 11, 1868(1868-09-11) (aged 52) Detroit, Michigan
Buried	Elmwood Cemetery, Detroit, Michigan
Allegiance	United States of America Union
Service / branch	United States Army Union Army
Rank	Brigadier General (negated)
Battles / wars	American Civil War Battle of Shiloh Battle of Chickasaw Bayou Battle of Fort Hindman
Other work	U.S. Congressman from Michigan

David Stuart (March 12, 1816 – September 12, 1868) was a politician from the U.S. state of Michigan and an officer in the Union Army during the American Civil War.

Early life and education

Stuart was born in Brooklyn, New York, the son of Robert Stuart, discoverer of the South Pass in Wyoming. He attended Phillips Academy, Oberlin College, and Amherst College, graduating in 1838. He studied law, was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in Detroit.

Career

He was elected as a Democrat to the 33rd Congress, serving from March 4, 1853, to March 3, 1855. He chaired the Committee on Expenditures in the Department of the Treasury.

He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1854 to the 34th Congress, and left for Chicago, to become lawyer for the Illinois Central Railroad.

Civil War

Stuart moved to Chicago, and enlisted in the Union Army. He raised 2,000 volunteers and equipped them at his own expense.

He was commissioned lieutenant colonel of the 42nd Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, July 22, 1861, and then colonel of the 55th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment, October 31, 1861.

He commanded the 2nd Brigade in William T. Sherman's division at the Battle of Shiloh and was badly wounded. He was appointed brigadier general of volunteers, November 29, 1862.

During the Vicksburg Campaign he led the division at the Battle of Chickasaw Bayou and at the Arkansas Post.

On March 11, 1863, the U.S. Senate declined to confirm his nomination to brigadier general, and Stuart resigned on April 3, 1863.

Later life and death

Stuart resumed the practice of law in Detroit, where he died and is interred in Elmwood Cemetery.

See also

• Bibliography of the American Civil War

Sources

• Groom, Winston (2012). Shiloh 1862. National Geographic Society. ISBN 978-1-4262-0879-9.

• United States Congress. "David Stuart (id: S001034)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved on 2008-02-15
• The Political Graveyard
• Elmwood Cemetery Biography on David Stuart Archived 2012-02-06 at the Wayback Machine

External links

• "David Stuart". Find a Grave. Retrieved 2008-02-15.