Name:

Born:

Died:

When he was nine, Richard Ewell moved with his family to Prince William County, Virginia. He attended the U.S. Military Academy, graduating 13th in the class of 1840. He received a commission in the 1st U.S. Dragoons, and reported to Carlisle Barracks, Pa., for training. He then went to Fort Wayne in present-day Oklahoma. For his conduct in the Mexican War, Ewell was given a brevet captaincy, served in Baltimore, and then returned to the southwest. When the Civil War began, Ewell was on sick leave in Virginia, resigning his commission as captain in the U.S. Army on May 7, 1861

Initially made a lieutenant colonel in the Virginia forces, Ewell became a colonel in the Confederate Army, commanding a camp of cavalry instruction. He was promoted to brigadier general June 17, 1861, and led troops at the First Battle of Manassas. On January 24, 1862, Ewell was promoted to major general. He served with distinction at Cedar Mountain, and in the Shenandoah Valley and Seven Days' campaigns.

At Groveton, in August 1862, Ewell lost a leg, and was equipped with a wooden one. He returned to duty as a lieutenant general on May 23, 1863, to replace the late "Stonewall" Jackson in command of the 2nd Corps. Though riding was difficult, Ewell was an active campaigner from Gettysburg to Spotsylvania Court House, though he was wounded twice. At the "Bloody Angle" at Spotsylvania, a fall from his horse incapacitated Ewell from further field command. He commanded the Department of Henrico and then the defenses of Richmond. On April 6, 1865, Ewell was captured at Sayler's Creek, and was imprisoned in Fort Warren, Mass., until August 19.

After the war, Ewell retired to a farm near Spring Hill, Tenn., where he died January 25, 1872. His final days were clouded, because some blamed him for the Confederate defeat at Gettysburg. On the first day of the battle, Ewell chose not to capture Cemetery Hill, despite the encouragement of his subordinates to do so. Control of the position, however, could not have guaranteed victory.

This page hosted by Get your own Free Home Page