If you have been looking for a really good example of the figure model maker's art to start working in, I think this may be it. Andrea Miniatures of Spain have created an excellent likeness of Confederate Major General "JEB" Stuart in 54mm scale.

Born in 1833, James Ewell Brown Stuart was an Old Army professional and West Point graduate (Class of '54). Upon graduation, he was commissioned into the Dragoons. His service in the pre-war West included fighting against the Southern Cheyennes, who wounded him.

In 1859, when John Brown raided Harper's Ferry, Colonel Robert E. Lee was called upon to head up the government forces to subdue the marauders. For troops he was given Marines from the Washington Barracks, and, as an assistant or aide, he had the services of Lieutenant JEB Stuart.

When the Civil War broke out, Stuart started service for the Confederacy with the 1st Virginia Cavalry (the "Blackhorse Regiment"), which created havoc among the Federals at First Manassas. He became General Lee's cavalry commander and earned fame for his daring exploits as a leader and as a combat soldier. He died in 1864 from a pistol wound received at Yellow Tavern, Virginia.

The Andrea white metal kit comes in a box covered with color photos of the assembled and painted item. Clean up is very minimal requiring just a touch here and there of the back of a #11 blade and some sand paper. Be aware that the molding seams you may find should not be confused with the superbly sculpted clothing seams. As you look closely at the pieces, you will note the extremely detailed items including the fancy braid sewn to the tunic sleeves, the fringe of the saber belt sash and the creases and folds of the uniform.

Assembly is straightforward with the excellent photos to guide the builder. I glued the figure to its provided base early in my construction to give a firm hold during painting. While there are no written instructions to guide the sequence of assembly, do remember to attach the Le Mat pistol in its holster before adding the right arm (although it would be hard to overlook this step.), and wait until after painting to position Stuart's favored French cavalry saber in its standing position under the left hand.

Painting can be done in any one, or combinations of, media. The Andrea folks also manufacture and sell a line of acrylic paints and wooden bases and they give clear reference to these. I used my usual Humbrol enamels as a base and finished up in oils. The base is a part of a wooden snuffbox I found at a craft store painted liberally with Burnt Sienna oils and wiped with a T-shirt to the desired coloring. Several excellent books had color photos of Stuart's actual uniforms for reference.

The detail in the casting is really outstanding. The box art is vivid and in more detail than most. I recommend this figure.


Among the reference books I used were: Rebels & Yankees; The Commanders of the Civil War, Salamander Books, Ltd, London 1999 ISBN 1 8405 105 9 and Don Troiani's Civil War The Easton Press, Norwalk, CT 1996.

Jeb Stuart 1863