GDG- Ewell and the High Ground

[Todd Estabrooks]

I wanted to post some of my thoughts on Ewell's failure to press the attack
on the first day.

As I understand the incident, Lee ordered Ewell to take the hights "if
practicable". Ewell then ordered Johnson's fresh division to scout Culp's
Hill. After delivering that order, Ewell wen to Lee for advice on how to
proceed. As it turned out, only a few battered Union regiments were
stationed on Culp's Hill, but Johnson's scouts were frightened by picketts
on the hill. As a result, any attack was called off.

Personally, I think the primary blame lies with Ewell and Johnson together.
It would seem that Ewell, instead of going to Lee and leaving Johnson on his
own, should have stayed on the field and asked Lee to come to him. It seems
that Ewell's main problem was not his indecisiveness, but how he handled
that problem. Instead of sending a small scouting party, he should have sent
skirmishers onto the hill to probe for Union troops. I think Johnson was too
quick to call off the attack. It would seem that Ewell could have taken
Culp's Hill with a well-planned assault, and then used that ground to attack
Cemetery Hill the next day.

What do you think?