H.B. McClellan was a Confederate staff officer for the iconic cavalry chief J.E.B. Stuart and wrote a contemporary biography of him shortly after the war. Stuart (February 6, 1833 – May 12, 1864) was the most famous cavalry officer of the Civil War, fighting for the Confederacy in Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia until his death at the Battle of Yellow Tavern in May 1864. Although he was well known for his dashing ways, Stuart was also brilliant in the role due to his mastery of reconnaissance and the use of cavalry in support of offensive operations. While he cultivated a cavalier image (red-lined gray cape, yellow sash, hat cocked to the side with a ostrich plume, red flower in his lapel, often sporting cologne), his serious work made him the trusted eyes and ears of Robert E. Lee’s army and inspired Southern morale.