The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1865-08-03

Letter from Gen: Ewell;' giving his
Flag.
A gentleman of st. Paul, (says the
Pioner,) who was formerly u non-com-
missioned officer in General (then
Captain) Ewells company of the reg,1-
lar army wrote friendly letter to his
old commander, a few weeks ago, and
has received the followingreply, Which
he has permitted us to publish on ac-
count of the explanation it affords of
the motive and inducements which led
General Ewen to embrace the seces-
sion cause. The letter is as follows:
Fort WAYNE, n. H., June Is, 1865.
DEAR SIR: l WAS highly gratifiel at
the reception OF yours Of the Both ult,
Long experience has given me very
different views in regard to the respon-
sibilitics of All officer from those with
which L left West Point, where few
mathematical formulas, never used af-
forwards, and nbstruce branches of
science We're dwelt upon, to the utter
exclusion of the duties and RESPONSE
bilities that We're to occupy our lives
1t is therefore highly gratifying that l
have the testimony of one companion
in arms that l made some friends
among the soldicrs-a portion of hu-
ln&nitv where the treatment Of the
best is measured often by what the
worst deserve, and whom it is easier
tn govern by the harshest rules than
to take the trouble to discriminate be-
tween good and bad and to make the
profession easier when possible.
After the time Of which You write
my health suffered terribly for years,
not much to the improvement of my
temper, and I remember with regret
much harsh language and conduct to-
wards men who showed themselves
better able to control themselves than
[ could control myself. However, I
,always tried to be just in the long run,
and while the discipline and good be-
havior Of my company was notorious,
hope l may say no man was made
worse by service with me, and ihany
of the boys discharged from my com
pany became valuable and industrious
citizens. I never heard Of one turn
ing out badly during many years in
New Mexico, and learned that kind
ness gives far more perfect control
over the human as we'll as the brute.
1dCCo ChftlI tllO CIucllY.
That you may have as little as pos
sible to be ashamed of serving with
me, will give you short account of
how came into the Southern cause.
I came from Arizona, sick, in the
spring of 1861, staid in the country,
i'll Virginia, my State, trying to get
we'll, and found the war, to my bitter
regret, was being started. All the
highest United States army officers
were resigninS, except Gen. Scott,
and he published a letter that the
United States would divide into four
parts, thus showing that he thought
all was over. A United States senator
said he would march asNorthern rcgi-
ment to help the South for every one
sent against her. Nothing was done
with either of these men, OF with Others
whose deeds we're reasonable y
member Of Congress, from California.
made q public speech calling upon the
South to resist the. election OF NJ
Lincoln.
hHNow l found myself forced to hght
against my brothers and al my near
est and dearest relatives-against my
own State, when many nhlcr men than
myself conten1cd she was right. BJ
taking up the side of the South for
fcited :; handsome position, fine pay
an1 t1,r .nrn;,,,r, of x,onrs !, -,