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David Stuart
DavidStuartMI.jpg
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 Union Army brigadier general rank insignia.svg Brigadier General (negated)
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 and education

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.

Career

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.

Later life and death

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

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