1861 April 19 Williamsburg

Dear Sir

The kind promise you made
of assisting to bring the name of Captain R.S. Ewell to
the favorable notice of Governor Letcher has
not been forgotten by me. The following
letter of Gen Scott & extracts from the
reports of the mentioned officers show what
opinion is entertained by the officers of
the U.S. Army of Captain Ewell. They refer
to a part only of his military services. He has
an active experience of 20 years-having left
the Military Academy in 1840-- He is
now in Virginia, direct from the Frontier, &
intends leaving the U.S. Army--I think that,
in the present juncture, his appointment in
the Virginia Forces might prove valuable--
Copies of the letter, & extracts in this sheet have
been sent to the Governor. I am now
on my way to Richmond, partly to see you, on
the subject of cannon for Williamsburg- and
defensive lines just below--Both are of great,
& immediae importance--
Yours sincerely,
Benj. S. Ewell

Philip St George Cocke

MSS 640