Richard Stoddert Ewell was born in 1817. He graduated from West Point in 1840 and served in the Mexican War where he won a brevet. Over the next fifteen years he commanded a company of dragoons.

On the outbreak of the American Civil War Ewell resigned and joined the Confederate Army and commanded the 2nd Brigade at Bull Run (June, 1861). He also served under Thomas Stonewall Jackson in the Shenandoah Valley and at Manassas (August, 1862) and lost a leg at Groveton.

Ewell returned to duty on 23rd May, 1863, and fought at Gettysburg (July, 1863) and Wilderness (June, 1864) until falling from his horse at Spotsylvania left him unfit for active service.

Ewell took over the defence of Richmond but was forced to withdraw on 3rd April, 1865. He was captured three days later at Sayler's Creek. Held in Fort Warren he was released on 19th August, 1865. Richard Stoddert Ewell died at his farm near Spring Hill, Tennessee, on 25th January, 1872.

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