Richard Ewell

Richard Stoddert Ewell: A Controversial Confederate General

Lieutenant General Richard Stoddert Ewell, a complex and often contradictory figure, carved his name into the annals of the American Civil War. Rising from the ranks of the U.S. Army to become a senior commander in the Confederacy, Ewell's career was marked by both brilliance and questionable decisions. This essay explores his life, tracing his path from West Point graduate to embattled Confederate general, and analyzing the controversies that continue to surround his legacy.

Before the Storm: A West Point Graduate and Mexican War Veteran

Born in 1817 near Georgetown, D.C., Ewell hailed from a prominent Virginia family. He secured an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point, graduating in 1840. Ewell's time at West Point earned him the nickname "Old Bald Head" due to his receding hairline, a moniker that stuck throughout his career. He served with distinction in the Mexican-American War, displaying courage at Contreras and Churubusco, earning a promotion to captain.

A Divided Heart: Choosing the Confederacy

Despite a generally pro-Union stance, when Virginia seceded in 1861, Ewell, like many Southerners, felt a stronger allegiance to his home state. He resigned his U.S. Army commission and joined the Confederacy, becoming the first field-grade officer wounded in the war at the skirmish of Fairfax Court House. Ewell's early battlefield successes earned him a brigadier generalcy.