Augusta County: "Tenth Annual Reunion of the Virginia Division Army Northern Virginia Association. Address of Major H. B. McClellan, of Lexington, Ky., on the Life, Campaigns, and Character of Gen'l J. E. B. Stuart.," by Major H. B. McClellan, October 27, 1880
Summary: The journal provides an introduction for and a transcription of Major H. B. McClellan's speech about General J. E. B. Stuart. General W. H. F. Lee preceded McClellan with introductory remarks about the spirit of the soldiers of the Civil War, who had fought nobly for their "country" (he does not specify which country). Ideas of reconciliation are evident in Lee's tone. McClellan's speech praised Virginia, J. E. B. Stuart, and Stuart's family.
On Wednesday evening, October 27th, 1880, a large crowd packed the Hall of the House of Delegates to its utmost capacity.
At the appointed hour the orator of the evening, Major H. B. McClellan was escorted into the hall by the president of the Association (General W. H. F. Lee) and members of the Executive Committee, and was received with loud applause.
General Lee called the meeting to order, and Rev. Dr. J. William Jones opened with prayer.
General Lee said that he esteemed it a pleasure and an honor to extend to the audience a cordial welcome to this tenth annual reunion of the Virginia Division of the Army of Northern Virginia. He concluded from the brilliant audience before him that the people still cherished the memory of the brave men who during the four years of the unequal contest bore themselves nobly, and proved themselves worthy of the land that gave them birth and the cause for which they fought.
He said that the Association had hitherto been very fortunate in its annual orators, and that he felt sure they were peculiarly fortunate on the present occasion. He had the honor of presenting as the orator of the evening a gentleman distinguished alike in war and in letters. He was fortunate, also, in the selection of his theme, since he was to speak of the life and character of the great cavalry chief on whose staff he had personally served, and with whom he had witnessed and participated in the great battles of the Army of Northern Virginia.
It gave him great pleasure to be able to introduce as orator of the evening, MAJOR H. B. MCCLELLAN, late A. A. G. of the Cavalry Corps A. N. V., now president of Sayre Female College, Lexington Kentucky.
Major McClellan was greeted with loud applause, which was frequently repeated as
he proceeded to deliver in graceful style the following
ADDRESS.
Mr. President, Comrades,,
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I am honored in being permitted again to stand upon the soil of Old Virginia. My spirit has been stirred to its depths as I have received the greetings of comrades with whom I have stood side by side in the day of battle; and, as I look into your faces, I can but wish that I were worthy to present my subject. Bear with me while I attempt to speak to you of one whom even Virginia may be proud to enroll among her noblest heroes..
James Ewell Brown Stuart was born in Patrick county, Va., on the 6th day of February, 1833. He died in Richmond, Va., on the 12th of May, 1864, of a wound received the day previous at the Yellow Tavern. His age at his death was 31 years 3 months and 6 days.
Through five generations his ancestry is traced back to Archibald Stuart, Sr., a native of Londonderry, Ireland, but of Scotch Presbyterian parentage, who, early in the eighteenth century, was compelled by religious persecution to seek refuge in Western Pennsylvania. Here he remained in seclusion for nearly seven years before his family could venture to join him. Removing to Augusta county, Va., about 1738, Archibald Stuart, Sr., acquired large landed estates, which he divided between his four children.
His second son, and third child, Major Alexander Stuart, was, early in the Revolutionary War, commissioned major of the regiment commanded by Colonel Samuel McDowell; and, during Colonel McDowell's illness, commanded the regiment at the battle of Guilford Court-house. Two horses were killed under him in this action, and he himself, dangerously wounded, was left upon the field, and was captured by the enemy. He was subsequently exchanged, and his sword was returned to him. This valued relic is now in the possession of his grandson, the Hon. Alexander H. H. Stuart, of Va.
Judge Alexander Stuart, the youngest son of Major Alexander Stuart, was a lawyer by profession, and resided at various times in Virginia, in Illinois, and in Missouri. He held many honorable and responsible offices in each of these states. He died and was buried in Staunton, Va. His eldest son, the Hon. Archibald Stuart, of Patrick, the father of our general, was an officer in the war of 1812. He embraced the profession of law, and throughout his long and eventful life was actively engaged in the practice of his profession, and in political life. He represented first the county of Campbell, in the Virginia legislature, and was afterwards repeatedly elected from Patrick county to the same body. He was a member of the famous Convention of 1829-30, and of the Convention of 1850, in which he was actively associated with the Hon. Henry A. Wise. He represented the Patrick District in the Federal Congress during the Nullification period, and was a strong supporter of Mr. Calhoun in that crisis. Concerning his personal character I quote the words of another:
"Archibald Stuart was known far and wide, both for his splendid talents and his wonderful versatility. A powerful orator and advocate, he charmed the multitude on the hustings, and convinced juries and courts. In addition to these gifts, he was one of the most charming social companions the state ever produced. Possessing wonderful wit and humor, combined with rare gift for song, he at once became the center of attraction at every social gathering. Among the people of the counties where he practiced, his name is held in great respect, and his memory is cherished with an affection rarely equaled in the history of any public man."
It is not wonderful that such an ancestry should have produced the hero whom to-night we honor. Rightfully did he inherit the stern devotion to duty and principle which caused Archibald Stuart to seek refuge in the wilds of Pennsylvania, rather than endure tyranny and oppression in his native land. Rightfully did he inherit the constancy and gallantry of the major who led his regiment at Guilford Courthouse, and who yielded his sword only when disabled by wounds and deserted by his men. Rightfully did he inherit that joyous temperament which made his father the delight of the social circle, and that magnetic power by which he could impress himself upon, and control other men.
To Archibald Stuart, of Patrick, and his wife, Elizabeth Letcher Pannill, of Pittsylvania, was born a family of four sons and six daughters. Among these our general was the seventh child and youngest son. Of his brothers, William Alexander Stuart, of Russell county, Va., alone survives.
Bibliographic Information: Source copy consulted: SHSP, Vol. VIII, p. 433-436, 1881
