Comments on: Lizinka Ewell – Southern Unionist?

By: Harry Smeltzer

Harry Smeltzer — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 19:44:50 +0000

One thing I’ve always found curious about the notion that Lee was going with a “more aggressive” commander in Early: in the two instances for which Ewell is criticized for “timiditiy” or “indicisiveness”, Cemetery/Culp’s Hill on July 1 at Gettysburg and Day 2 in the Wilderness, he was supported, even influenced in his decisions by none other than division commander Early. I have real trouble getting past that.

By: caswain01

caswain01 — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 19:22:13 +0000

The surface answer often cited for Ewell’s removal from command was the lingering effects of the 2nd Manassas wound. Personally I wonder if Lee, like a gambler at the table, wished to put a new pair of dice in play to change his luck a bit. Interesting that while Early brought some success, ultimately it was Ewell who was fighting to the end (at Sailor’s Creek) while Early was working his way to Tampico dressed like a farmer.

By: SouthernUnionists

SouthernUnionists — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 15:10:38 +0000

Oh, thank goodness… glad to see that misunderstanding in Southern Unionism was averted…

By: Will Hickox

Will Hickox — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 08:40:03 +0000

So I trust I won’t be alone in chucking my copy of the Oxford Guide to American Military History? (Kidding.) Fascinating topic and post.

By: Chris Evans

Chris Evans — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 04:16:08 +0000

Thanks for posting that Harry,
I think that it had to do with the way Ewell performed and acted during the early phases of the Overland campaign than anything else. You really go to the best sources to get the answers to your questions with people like Hennessey and Pfanz. Also the question got me looking through Campbell Brown again. I think it is a really interesting book, kind of reminds me of Porter Alexander.
Thanks again,
Chris

By: Brett Schulte - TOCWOC

Brett Schulte - TOCWOC — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 02:31:51 +0000

Interesting news Harry and definitely as close to the final word on the subject as you can get. One of the amazing side benefits of starting a Civil War blog, and one I had no idea would happen, is that I’ve corresponded with so many authors of Civil War books and learned a great deal in the process.