David Stuart (Michigan politician)

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 at Elmwood Cemetery, Detroit, Michigan
Allegiance United States of America
Union
Service/branch United States Army
Union Army
Rank Brigadier General (negated)[1]
Battles/wars

American Civil War

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

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

He was elected as a Democrat to the Thirty-third 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 Thirty-fourth Congress, and left for Chicago, to become lawyer for the Illinois Central Railroad.

Civil War

Stuart moved to Chicago, Illinois, 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 Forty-second 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 his brigade at the 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.

Postbellum career

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

References

  1. Eicher p. 611

External links

United States House of Representatives
Preceded by
Ebenezer J. Penniman
United States Representative for the 1st Congressional District of Michigan
1853 1855
Succeeded by
William Alanson Howard
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