The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-06-12
JACKSON AND EWELL.
1ArrER's OPINION or ms CHIEF.
Interview with Colonel benjamin s. Ewell.
Ex-Prosident OF william and Mary-His
Brothers Relations To- Jackson.

of tho Southern Historical Society Papers
copied from Louisville Courier-Journal Of tho
18th October 1891. which states that Gen
pra Ewell did not have high opinion Of
General Jacksou's natural obility." General
Jubal A. Early has written letter denying
this. aud showing that General Ewell had the
very highest regard and esteem for his COM
handing general The following interview
with Colonel Benjamin Ewell, of near VIII
Mamsbure. president emeritus Of William and
Mary College and brother OF the General, con-
firms General Early's statement.-ED.l
For The TimesI
WILLIAMSBURG Va. June S.-Colonel Ben
jamin s. Ewell, president emeritus OF VIII
jam aud Mary College who Is closely verg-
ing on eighty-twO. yet retains that vigorous,
genial manhood which was such pleasant
characteristic Of bis earlier years, resides
about four miles above town. Meeting hlm
not long since. / asked him 20 tell me what
lie knew of the relations between General
Thomas Jackson (Stonewall and ms brother;
General Richard ). EWeh. With pleasure
lie replied, and said he had failed - get
COPY OF an address recently delivered by Gen
eral John EchOls in Louisville. Ky. on stone
wall Jackson. IN which mention was made OF
General Ewel. and from which he expected
much accurate information on the valley
+
rent and active officer ia II th severely
wounded 40 the battle of Kernstown But 1t
was not written and, 50 far as IS known here,
imperiectly reported
0rNERAL RwEII's CONVERSION.
Colonel Ewell went on 20 say that he had
seen but one report OF General hchols' al
dress and that with the exception Of few
lines it consisted Of letter received by him
from a distinguished Virginia minister IN re-
gard 10 General Ewoll and S.onewall Jackson.
j give an abridged copy of this letter, as II IS
connected with what Colonel Eweii has 10 say
on the subject
General John Echols;
Dear General. Twas in connection with
General Ewells conversion o. Christ from his
accidentally Overhearng Jackson praying for
guidance ia the prosecution OF the cam
paign. Ny informant got the account from
q minister Of the Presbyterian church, who
was present at one of the sessions IN EXAM
ining General Ewell (whO had been very
pr0fane man and skeptcaD and hearing him
give his experience aud what led HIM to de-
sire membership ID the church.
General Ewell did not have a high opinion of
JacksOn's natural ability. and often remarked
iu the hearing of his staff that he did not
have good common sense, and 30 the staff
used 10 Join 10 with him in derlding
the claims of JacksOns friends % his
being "a great general But Jackson kept
on winning victories, and tue stan, one after
another. ceased talking III the strain they had
been INDUCING ID, and EWell was lett alone
ia reafIrmiug his oftrepeated convictions.
This went on ill Pope had assumed command
of tho Federal troops. and at a luncture OF
that campaign a council OF war was held, at
which Generals Jackson and kweu were
present None present had anything 10 sug-
gest but Jackson SAID that as
they seemed % think he ought 70
know what % do. if they would
meet again next morning before daylight he
might have something 10 otter. General
Ewell left his gauntlsts IN Jacksons tent
when the council adjourned and returning
10 get them heard the voice of Jackson
within engaged in prayer. Surprising the
PRAYER would be short, Ewell waited FOR
awhile. but Jackson prayed so long and fer
vently he concluded TO leave. The substance
of the prayer Ewen heard was his
telling his Heavenly Father that
he did not know what 10 do
that everything seemed 10 be involved
in perfect darkness and that the other gene
rails seemed TO expect that be would be able
10 tell gthem what the army ought to do
would be grucouslY reveal 10 him what vas
best TO be done Next morning be laid be-
fore Ine council what ne had 70 sug-
gest and all present Instantly perceived
that IL was the very thing that ought
60 be done, and SO the movement
through Ihoroughfare Gap was decided
upon. Ewell was wounded, but he still held
the opinion as % Jackson's natural ability,
and there was. therefore. no other way 10 OK
plain Jackson's success except that prayer
had power with God. and that this fact car
ried with il practically all the rest that the
New Testament taught. and that having come
% that conclusion he asked admission TO
church fellowship"
WHAT COLONEL EwELL SAYS.
Colonel Ewell says respecting this letter
that IL correctly reported the writer or his
informant made mistakes, as some of its
statements are supported 10y no known
records. indeed are directly cOntradicted by
them. j regret cannot deny what Is said of
General Ewells profanity. but since Uncle
Toby told that our army in Flanders
sworo terribly armies of English-speaking
people have followed the bad example. Our
army in Mexico swOre terribly General
Iwiggs that he might inspire the young VOL
unteer officers with a suitable respect for the
regulars. 'sworo terribly when in their pres
ence. and would scOd bis staff officers for not
following ms example
When IN 1861 General Ewell found that he
had men 10 deal with of q different type than
his old regulars and needing the iudicious
advice gwen him by the Rev. DR.. Hoge soon
ne began 20 abate the bad habit. He was
church-goeT when be had the opportunity
and bis skeptcism did not exceed that OF the
average man Of the world No council Of
war was called by Jackson during the Pope
campaign in 1852 for the only one he ever
which General Echos was a member Gene.
raj Ewell was never examined by the session
of any Presbyterian church. and
therefore never gave his experience in
the manner described. nor did he join that
church. In the spring OF 1888 he was con-
hrmed by Bishop Johns al ST. Pauls Rich
mond, as a member of the Episcopal Church.
ORIGIN or THE STORY.
The whole story is founded on the follow
ing extract from Or. Dabneys Life of Jack
SON "JacksOns army, marching from the
Valley 20 Join General Lee, encamped at
Ashland June 25, 1862. late at night Two of
the commanders of divisions went to Jack
sons tent aud advised that he should move
the army by two columns on parallel roads.
instead Of by one. He listened respectfully.
but requested that they would wait his deci-
sion until morning. When they left him the
ono said 70 the other DO you know why
General Jackson would not decide upon our
suggestion at onceg 1t was because he has 70
pray over it before he makes up his mind.
A moment after the second returned 10
JacksOns quarters 10 get his sword which he
had forgotten. and as he entered found him
upon bis knees praying" This is the whole
story told by Dr. Dabney who gives no
names as evidence OF Jackson's unvarYing
attention 20 his religious duties.
GENERAL HwRLL JOINS JACKSON.