Gentlemen, I think I can shed a little light on this subject. The tank was
named after Major General James Ewell Brown Stuart (USMilitary Academy Class
of 1854), perhaps better know as Jeb Stuart, a famous (at least in the
southern USA) Confederate calvary commander, during the US Civil War (of
which my ancestors fought on the "wrong" side).
Jeb Stuart was famous for lightning quick raids, generally behind enemy lines
and from the least expected route. More often than not his troops were
outnumbered by at least 10:1 but still was highly successful in his goals of
disrupting Federal lines of communications and supply depots; as well as
confrontations with opposing Federal calvary troops. More of his exploits
can be found at the web site http://www.jebstuart.com/biopage.html
It was hoped that the light tank of early WWII fame could repeat the exploits
of Jeb Stuart with mobility and firepower to strike the enemy from unexpected
fronts and with the same suprise tactics that General Stuart enjoyed during
his brief combat history. The US Army honored the Civil War Generals with
quite a few named tanks, the Stuart (Jeb Stuart), the Lee (General Robert E.
Lee - overall commander of southern forces) and of course the Sherman
(General William Tecumsen Sherman - an equally famous - or infamous in the
South - Federal General).
Hope this helps clear up the mystery of the name(s).
Tom Campbell - Birmingham, Alabama
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