George H. Steuart

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George Hume Steuart (August 24, 1828 – November 22, 1903) was a Confederate general during the American Civil War, primarily serving in the Army of Northern Virginia. Nicknamed "Maryland Steuart" to avoid verbal confusion with Virginia cavalryman J.E.B. Stuart, he was noted for his zeal in promoting the secession of Maryland.

Steuart was born in Baltimore. He attended the United States Military Academy in West Point, graduating 37th in the famed class of 1848, which produced a number of future Civil War officers. Steuart was assigned to the 2nd Dragoons, a regiment of cavalry that served in the frontier fighting Indians. He actively participated in the Utah War of 1857-1858.

Even though Maryland did not secede from the Union, Steuart's loyalty lay with the South. He resigned his captain's commission in early 1861 and entered the Confederate army as a cavalry captain. He soon became lieutenant colonel of the 1st Maryland Infantry and fought at the First Battle of Manassas, where he gained the admiration of his men. Shortly thereafter, he was promoted to colonel and assumed command of the regiment. He was promoted to brigadier general in March 1862, commanding a brigade in Richard S. Ewell's division during Stonewall Jackson's Shenandoah Valley campaign. He was severely wounded in the shoulder at the Battle of Cross Keys, which disabled him until May of 1863.

Upon his return to the army, Robert E. Lee assigned him command of a brigade in Edward Johnson's division. During the Gettysburg Campaign in June of 1863, when his brigade entered Maryland, he is said to have jumped down from his horse, kissed his native soil and stood on his head in jubilation. During the Battle of Gettysburg, Steuart's men unsuccessfully tried several times to wrest control of Culp's Hill from the Federal soldiers. The following year, he saw severe action during the Battle of the Wilderness, and then was captured along with much of his brigade at the "Mule Shoe" salient at Spotsylvania. A belligerent Steuart refused to shake the hand of pre-war friend, but now Union enemy, Winfield S. Hancock. He was sent as a prisoner of war to Charleston, South Carolina and was later imprisoned at Hilton Head. He was eventually exchanged later that summer, returning to the Army of Northern Virginia. He commanded a brigade in George Pickett's division during the Petersburg Campaign, at the Battle of Five Forks, and at Sayler's Creek before surrendering at Appomattox Court House.

Steuart returned to Maryland, where he farmed and served as commander of the Maryland division of the United Confederate Veterans. He died at the age of 75 at South River, Maryland. He is buried in Greenmount Cemetery in Baltimore.

[edit] References

• Eicher, John H., & Eicher, David J., Civil War High Commands, Stanford University Press, 2001, ISBN 0-8047-3641-3.
• Tagg, Larry, The Generals of Gettysburg, Savas Publishing, 1998, ISBN 1-882810-30-9.