Page:War and its Heroes.djvu/54

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LIEUT. GEN. RICIIAKD S. EWELL Richard S. Ewell is a native of Prince William county, Virginia. We liaTC Dot been able to ascertain the year of his birth ; but, as he entered the Military my of West Point in 1886 and graduated in 1R40, we presume he is somewhat turned of forty. He was appointed second lieutenant of cavalry by on the Let of July, 1840, and full second lieuteuant the November following. On the 18th of September, 1845, he was made first lieutenant, and, with that rank, went into the Mexican war. He WOO his promotion to captain in the field, having received it for "gallant and meritorious conduct^' in the battles of Contreras and Chcrubusco. Captain Swell was anion.,' the first to cast his fortune with the South when his native State seceded. Hi.- Bret appearance was at Fairfax Court-house, when a party of cavalry were surprised by the enemy, and Governor Smith succeeded in rallying them. Ewell, we believe, had no command; but, when the alarm took place, he rushed into the street, in the very midst of the danger, and, by his energetic remonstrances and fearless exposure of his person, con- tributed greatly to prevent a catastrophe. With the rank of colonel, we next find him in command of the camp of instruction for cavalry at Ashland. His services here were invaluable and their effect has been felt throughout the war. His discipline was stern and rigid, but humane, and, out of raw mounted militia, he soon formed a most efficient body of troops. At the first battle of Manassas, Ewell, now a brigadier, was stationed with his cavalry on the right. In that position, he was detained all day, without participating in the dangers and glory of the fight. An order was sent to him to advance to Ccntreville, and fall upon the flank and rear of the enemy. That order never reached him. Had it arrived in time, the oonsequenoe would have been the capture of 20,000 men, the titter destruction of the Yankee army, and, in all probability, the capture of Washington. Soon after this battle, Ewell was made a major-general and placed in command of a division. Upon Jackson's retreat after the battle of Kernstown, Ewell was sent to re in force him. The two great soldiers seemed formed to act together. The utmost cordiality always existed between them. Each was too noble, too brave, too generous, to feel the slightest jealousy of the other. Upon all occasions, Jackson bore testimony to the invaluable services of Ewell ; and Ewell, in return, always expressed the highest admiration for Jackson. In nearly all of Jackson's battles in the Valley, Ewell was a participant, and the part he bore