David Stuart (Michigan politician)



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 expenses.

He was commissioned lieutenant colonel of the Forty-second Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, July 22, 1861, and then colonel of the Fifty-fifth Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, 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.