Opportunities Gained and Lost: J. E. B. Stuart's Cavalry Operations in the Seven Days Campaign

This study evaluates Confederate cavalry operations 12 June to 3 July 1862, as a prelude to and as a part of the Seven Days Campaign. General Robert E. Lees Seven Days Campaign succeeded in defeating a Union offensive aimed at Richmond, Virginia and served as an important turning point in the American Civil War. The thesis seeks to determine the substantive contributions General J. E. B. Stuarts cavalry brigade made to this Confederate victory, as well as to assess the strengths and shortcomings of his particular style of mounted employment. Stuart launched an armed reconnaissance 12-15 June 1862 known thereafter as the Chickahominy Raid that provided intelligence vital to General Lees success in the campaign and helped to bolster sagging Confederate morale. This was the first of the Confederate cavalry leaders renowned raids, a style of operation that would be adopted by other Confederate cavalry leaders renowned raids, a style of operation that would be adopted by other Confederate mounted units and the Union cavalry as well. Stuart also attempted to strike out independently during the Seven Days Campaign itself, but his activities in this regard were not well synchronized with the rest of Lees army. As a result, Stuart missed opportunities to play a more decisive role in the battles outside Richmond. American Civil War, Cavalry, J.E.B. Stuart, Seven days campaign, Peninsula campaign, Chickahominy raid, Army of Northern Virginia, Ride around McClellan.