Family Business | Carlisle Pennsylvania – Who’s Who in the Zoo?

The Leadership of both armies in the American Civil War was a Family Business. Many Generals and Officers were all from the West Point Family. James Ewell Brown “Jeb” Stuart (February 6, 1833 – May 12, 1864) was a United States Army officer from the U.S. state of Virginia, who later became a Confederate States Army general during the American Civil War. He was known to his friends as “Jeb”, from the initials of his given names. Stuart was a cavalry commander known for 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 an 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.

James Ewell Brown “Jeb” Stuart

Stuart graduated from West Point in 1854, and served in Texas and Kansas with the U.S. Army. He was a veteran of the frontier conflicts with Native Americans and the violence of Bleeding Kansas, and he participated in the capture of John Brown at Harpers Ferry.

Nestled in the beautiful Susquehanna Valley, Carlisle Barracks is one of our nation’s oldest military installations. Since 1757, Carlisle Barracks has witnessed pioneering concepts in military training and education, and innovative measures to prepare for a changing world. The War College teaches the family business of the US Army. Eisenhower graduated number one in his class.

The U.S. Army War College, senior educational institution of the U.S. Army, arrived in the spring of 1951 to begin the latest stage of the post’s history. Established in 1903 and located in Washington, D.C., the college had functioned as part of the General Staff during its early years, but chiefly had prepared selected officers for high command. The U.S. Army War College was conceived by Secretary of War Elihu Root — “Not to promote war but to preserve peace by intelligent and adequate preparation to repel aggression.” Distinguished graduates of that period included John J. Pershing (Class of 1905), Dwight D. Eisenhower (1927), and Omar N. Bradley (1934).

Arguably Stuart’s most famous campaign, Gettysburg, was marred when he was surprised by a Union cavalry attack at the Battle of Brandy Station and by his separation from Lee’s army for an extended period, leaving Lee unaware of Union troop movements and contributing to the Confederate defeat at the Battle of Gettysburg. Stuart received significant criticism from the Southern press as well as the postbellum proponents of the Lost Cause movement, but historians have failed to agree on whether Stuart’s exploit was entirely the fault of his judgment or simply a result of bad luck and Lee’s less-than-explicit orders.

Carlisle played a large role in the battle of Gettysburg. Carlisle was part of Jeb Stuart’s outing before Gettysburg that blinded Lee and some suggest changed the course of history. Stuart had 4 divisions of Calvary in reserve, two season regular soldiers and 2 irregular, raw volunteers. The commander of the regulars was a rival, in fact Stuart and he had chased the same Belle. In order to keep his rival out of Lee’s eye Stuart had assigned his rival to guard supply lines miles and miles south of Gettysburg. Lee was unaware of these issues. Lee was the Class of 1829, Stuart the Class of 1854, 25 years separated these brothers.

One of the issues Stressed at the War College, at Carlisle Barricks is understanding the interaction of your leaders, two levels down, also known as “Who’s who at the Zoo?” It is important to know your Team, not just your direct reports. Two levels down are the next leaders, don’t be caught unaware blinded, like Lee, its Family Business.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply