Confederate general (1817-1872) who achieved fame as a senior commander under Stonewall Jackson and Robert E. Lee; his actions at the Battle of Gettysburg and the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House have shrouded his legacy in controversy. Civil War-dated ALS signed “R. S. Ewell,” two pages on two adjoining sheets, lightly lined, 5.75 x 8.75, Head Quarters Department of Richmond letterhead, June 19, 1864. Letter to General Braxton Bragg, in full: "There are two Battalions of Artillery under Col. Carter along the line of the Chickahominy, left there by Gen. R. E. Lee. I have informed Gen. Hampton of this and requested him to send a Cavalry escort to take charge of the Batteries that will be sent to his assistance, as I have no support to send with them,—The Locals and Reserves being at Chaffin's Bluff—by Gen. Lee's order. I will notify Col. Carter that Gen. Hampton will call on him at Bottom's Bridge for one or two Batteries—and Lt. Col. Pemberton will be ordered to send two Batteries to that point to be ready either to go to White House or take the place of the Batteries of Carter's Battalion, as may be most expedient. Unfortunately I have no infantry support that I could send with the Batteries. A letter from Gen. Hampton to Genl. Lee corresponding with that sent you was forwarded today to Genl. Lee." Ewell adds a pair of postscripts, concluding one with "R. S. Ewell," and "RSE" with the other. The first postscript reads: "Col. Pemberton will send horses from his Batteries to take the guns from Carter's Battalions in case Carters horses are broken down—as I think Col. Carter has 20 lb. parrots—which I have not." The second postscript: "There is one Reg't Co'y Al'a here which might go but it could not reach in time—Pemberton may take his own guns, or merely horses to attach to some of Carters." Professionally inlaid into a slightly larger sheet. In very good to fine condition, with the handwriting light but legible, and eerie light offsets of engraved portraits on the first and last pages. Only the third Ewell item we have ever offered.
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