R. S. Ewwell to Robert E. Lee, September 12, 1864

My DrEsr GENERAL: From what I can gather from all sources I am afraid that officers at Richmond, and the Department officers especially, and perhaps you, have taken an incorrect view of Ramseur’s affair at Winchester last July. The facts are these, as can be sustained by ample testimony. Ramseur went out to chastise and drive off a small force which Vaughn had reported as one regiment of infantry and one of cavalry (this Ramseur is prepared to sustain by testimony, notwithstanding Vaughn’s statements to the contrary). He thought at first he would take only a portion of his command, but concluded to take all as a measure of perfect safety. He formed his army with two brigades in the front line, skirmishers out—brigades deployed ; behind this line Pegram’s line was deployed. The enemy advanced upon him suddenly, was repulsed by Johnson, and at first by Hoke’s brigade ; but Ramseur’s left being overlapped by Averell, Hoke’s two left regiments broke and ran, behaving very badly, as General Lewis himself said. Ramseur was on the right, or near Johnson’s brigade ; thought everything was going on finely until he saw this panic on the left. He immediately endeavored to restore the line by advancing Pegram’s brigade, but it being embarrassed by Hoke’s panic-stricken men, became so itself ; broke and fled, as did the balance of Hoke’s brigade, and finally Johnson’s. Now, sir, this result would not occur one time ina hundred with these same troops under the same circumstances, and ought never to have occurred with old troops at all. Ramseur acted most heroically, as usual exposed himself recklessly, but could do nothing with the men ; they were under the influence of panic. I do not hesitate to record my belief that the cause of the disaster was the conduct of the men, and the prime cause was the breaking of the two left regiments of Hoke’s brigade. Of course if Ramseur had put Pegram’s brigade in the front line the disaster might have been averted, but who knows! But would any officer who was under an impression conveyed by General Vaughn, commanding outposts, as to the amount of force in his front, such as that of which Ramseur was possessed, have deployed more? Would he have kept nothing in reserve? Isa battle lost finally because your enemy outflanks you? With their superior opportunities, and urged by a natural desire to shirk the responsibility for this disaster, and the less laudable one inspired by their dislike of Ramseur, to throw the blame upon Ramseur, the men and main officers concerned have succeeded in winning public opinion to their side, and have very nearly ruined Ramseur. He of course is perfectly powerless. He degrades himself to a newspaper controversy, or is driven to ask that when a suitable time comes, a court of inquiry may be called. In the mean time his reputation is ruined, and he is deprived of his permanent promotion. My statements are, I am aware, in conflict with the popular and general version of the occurrences of that day ; but they embody in substance the main facts of the case. I feel that it is due Ramseur as my friend, and as an admirable officer, that I should make some effort

23 R R—VOL XXXVII, PT I to relieve him at once of the embarrassing situation he finds himself in at Richmond, at least among his brother officers, and before his old commander ; and hence I have written to you, who I know feel strong interest in all of us, and have opportunities of placing him, Ramseur, fairly before his brother officers. I regret very much I have not yet been able to furnish you my report of operations up to the time you left us. I have not had the time and the courage at the same moment to undertake it ; and in truth our life here is one of such constant motion, and constant separation from baggage, as to make it, together with the constant expectancy of a cavalry fight, which belongs to this division now, even when in camp, that I am unable to concentrate my thoughts upon anything except my immediate military duty. Ihave not succeeded in getting inall the brigade reports either. I hope soon, however, tosend you the whole budget, and in the mean time would like to know how you wish it arranged, and up to what time you desire it tobe made to you. I hope you will not send in yours till mine is before you, for [ depend upon you alone to get my share of the glory of theactions of the Wilderness, and 12th of May, which have so far reflected glory on all concerned on our side except me. I claim to have been your right-bower on the 12th May, and feel that I did my duty that day fully. Carter has just arrived here, very much to our delight.* Yours,

very respectfully and sincerely,