Confederate general (1817-1872). He achieved fame as a senior commander under Stonewall Jackson and Robert E. Lee and fought effectively through much of the war, but his legacy has been clouded by controversies over his actions at the Battle of Gettysburg. ALS signed “R. S. Ewell,” three pages on two adjoining sheets, 6.25 x 8, March 28, 1862. Letter to Lizinka Brown, a widow and close friend. In part: “I write a few lines as movements of troops indicate stirring events and I don’t know when I shall have more time…The Yankees seem to be making a general advance. I have one or two of your late letters…I destroy them not to run any risk of their being an annoyance to you.” In his postscript, Ewell writes: “How much I feel for your anxiety! How gladly I would shield your son from any danger that may be in the future!…May be you will not receive this until Providence has helped us & our enemies are discomfited. RSE.” In very good to fine condition, with moderate intersecting folds (small split along one vertical fold), repairs to two small tears, some light wrinkling, and light show-through from text on opposing sides.
Ewell, a newly promoted major general, wrote this letter just five days after the First Battle of Kernstown, the opening battle of Stonewall Jackson's campaign through the Shenandoah Valley. The battle plan—which like most of Jackson’s campaign strategies were kept secret, even from his fellow officers—turned out to be ill-advised. Faulty intelligence led Confederate troops to attack a Union infantry division more than twice the size of Jackson’s forces. Although the battle was a Confederate tactical defeat—Jackson's only defeat in the war—it represented a strategic victory for the South by preventing the Union from transferring forces from the Shenandoah Valley to strengthen a campaign against Richmond, the Confederate capital. Then a bachelor, General Ewell would ultimately marry this letter’s recipient, Lizinka Brown in 1863. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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