Lee Ewing War service summary and research

8/6/2019 Lee Ewing War service summary and research

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/lee-ewing-war-service-summary-and-research 1/16

1

The Civil War Service of

Captain Addison Lee Ewing

Company I, 63rd Indiana Infantry



2

By Kraig W. McNutt

What are Ewing¶s enlistment details?

He enlisted on May 1, 1862 as a 1st

Sergeant. He was a

resident of Haubstadt, Indiana, mustering in to

Company C, 63rd

Indiana Infantry at age 25.

A total of 98 men enlisted from Haubstadt during

the war. 59 would return.

Ewing resigned for disability on April 6, 1865. He saw

three promotions during the war, eventually making

Captain (10/1/64, Co I).

Haubstadt is part of Gibson County, Indiana. It is just 25 miles due north of

Evansville, Indiana.

Who was Addison Lee Ewing?It appears Lee Ewings father originally settled in

what was called Haub Station. By 1862 Ewing was a

literate 25 year old Hoosier who apparently earned

a pre-war living by teaching. He was a young

married man (m. 1860) with a little boy of 1 year old

in 1862. Lee was devoted to his wife Mary and they

shared a common bond in the Presbyterian church.

They had a nice home and farm in Haubstadt. It

appears that Marys mother and father lived in the same property in 1864.



3

What action and service did the 63rd Indiana Infantry see

during the Civil War?

1862

August 28-30 |Second Battle of Bull Run, Popes Campaign in

Northern Virginia.

Late Dec 1862 | Guard duty at Shepherdsville, Kentucky along the

L&N railroad. Saw action against John Hunt Morgan.

1863

Early 1863 | Operations againstMorgan

Various support positions with the 23rd

Army Corps

1864

Spring | Movements in CumberlandMountain region.

Summer | Atlanta Campaign including Rocky Face Ridge, Dalton,

Resaca, Allatoona, Kennesaw Mountain, Marietta, siege of Atlanta,

Jonesboro, Lovejoy Station.

Fall | HoodsMiddle Tennessee Campaign including, North Alabama,

Columbia, Spring Hill, Franklin and Nashville.

1865

Winter/Spring | Campaign of the Carolinas



4

Johnsons surrender

What documents and resources are in the Ewing

collection?

Letters

24 separately dated letters

o 22 of 24 are from Sept thru Dec 1864

o 11 are written while in GA in Sept 1864

o 10 are written in TN during Hoods campaign

Three are pre-Columbia action

Six are written from Nashville, covers Franklin and

Nashville action.

Documents

Several muster in/out documents.

May 14, 1864 hand-written casualty list from Resaca action.

Dec 6 1864, clothing record for Company I, 63rd

Indiana.

Misc pension records, Masonic certificate, and receipts.

1889 personal diary/journal.

Note: this personal collection is supplemented by the complete 1862-

1865 CivilWar diaries of Ewing, held in the Lilly Library in

Bloomington.



5

'LDU\HQWU\1RYHPEHU&ROXPELD7XHVGD\1RYHPEHU

WK

&ROXPELD7HQQHVVHH

/DVWQLJKWSDVVHGRIITXLHWO\$WZHDUHSDFNHGUHDG\WRPRYH7KHIRUFHVEHKLQGXVKDYHMXVWPRYHGRXW7KHHQHP\KDYHEHHQWU\LQJDOOPRUQLQJWRJHWSRVVHVVLRQRIWKHIRUGFRQVHTXHQWO\VHYHUDODUWLOOHU\ILJKWVDV

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

WK&RUSVLQFDPSZHZHUHORRNLQJIRUZDUGWRDQLPPHGLDWHUHVW

ZKHQWRRXUVXUSULVHZHZHUHWROGWKDWLWZDVWKHOLJKWVRIDUHEEOHFDPS0HQRUGHUHGQRWWRVSHDNQRUOHWWKHLUDFFRXWUHPHQWVUDWWOHZHZHUHVRFORVHZHFRXOGVHHWKHLUFDPSJXDUGVQLJKWJXDUGV

$UWLFOHLQ7(+&%\1DQF\/$GJHQW5RFNHIHOOHU$UFKLYHV$OVRRQWKHPRUQLQJRI1RYHPEHU6FKRILHOGGHFLGHGWRSURFHHGWR6SULQJ+LOOXQDZDUH

WKDWDERXWWZHQW\WKRXVDQG&RQIHGHUDWHVZHUHFURVVLQJWKHULYHURQWKHHDVWVLGHRIWRZQ6XSSO\ZDJRQVOHDGLQJ)HGHUDOWURRSVKHDGHGQRUWKVNLUPLVKLQJZLWK5HEHOVDORQJWKHZD\:KHQ&RQIHGHUDWH*HQHUDO6WHSKHQ'/HHVDZEOXHEULJDGHVOHDYLQJWRZQKHEHJDQZLWKGUDZLQJKLVDUWLOOHU\FRQWLQJHQWWRWKHQRUWKVLGHRIWKHULYHURQO\WREHEDUUDJHGE\86&RORQHO36LGQH\3RVWVLQIDQWU\HQVFRQFHGLQ*UHHQZRRG&HPHWHU\'XULQJWKHQLJKWRI1RYHPEHU6FKRILHOGVWURRSVFRQWLQXHGWR6SULQJ+LOOOHDYLQJ+RRGVHQFDPSPHQWDIHZPLOHVEHKLQG7KH&RQIHGHUDWHIDLOXUHWRGLVDEOHWKH8QLRQDW&ROXPELDZDVDPLVVHGRSSRUWXQLW\WKDWHIIHFWLYHO\HQGHGWKHZDUEHFDXVHDIWHUWKH\OHIWWRZQ6FKRILHOGVPHQPRYHGQRUWKRI+RRGVDUP\7KDWPDQHXYHUDQGOXFNHQDEOHGWKH8QLRQWRZLWKGUDZWRZDUG1DVKYLOOHIURP6SULQJ+LOODQG)UDQNOLQDQGFRPELQHIRUFHVZLWKRWKHU)HGHUDOWURRSVIRUWKHLUGHFLVLYHYLFWRU\LQWKHFDSLWDO

'LDU\HQWU\1RYHPEHU)UDQNOLQ

1RYHPEHU

:HGQHVGD\DW)UDQNOLQ7HQQHVVHH

(DUO\GDZQIRXQGWKHKHDGRIRXUZHDU\FROXPQVIOHHLQJLQWR)UDQNOLQ-XVWDIWHUZHSDVVHG6SULQJ+LOORXUZDJRQWUDLQZDVDWWDFNHGE\5HEHOFDYDOU\DQGVHYHUDOZDJRQVEXUQHG7KHKHDGTXDUWHUJXDUGVZLWKWKHWUDLQ



6

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

UG,QGLDQD,VDDF&ODUNGLDU\H[FHUSWRI)UDQNOLQDFWLRQ,VVDF&ODUNVUG,QGLDQDGLDU\1RY

:HPDUFKHGDOOQLJKW$UULYHGDW)UDQNOLQ7HQQLQWKHPRUQLQJ+HUHZHKDOWHGDQGEXLOWDOLQHRIZRUNVDQGZHWKRXJKWDVWKHUHEHOVVHHPHGDQ[LRXVIRUDILJKWWKDWZHZRXOGWU\RXUKDQGRQWKHPDWWKLVSODFHVRZHPDGHQHFHVVDU\SUHSDUDWLRQV:HKDGFDQQRQSODFHGDORQJRXUOLQHRIZRUNVDERXW\DUGVDSDUWEHVLGHVDQXPEHURIZHOOIRUWLILHGIRUWVFRQWDLQLQJVHYHUDOSLHFHVRIDUWLOOHU\

$WRFORFNSPWKHHQHP\FDPHWKH\GURYHLQRXUSLFNHWVDQGPDGHDGHVSHUDWHFKDUJHXSRQRXUZRUNVEXWZHUHGULYHQEDFNZLWKJUHDWVODXJKWHUKRZHYHUWKLVGLGQRWVDWLVI\WKHPDQGWKH\FDPHDJDLQDQGDJDLQXQWLOWKH\KDGPDGHDVPXFKDVRUGLIIHUHQWFKDUJHVXSRQRXUZRUNV7KH\WRRNDSRUWLRQRIRXUZRUNVDWRQHWLPHEXWZHUHLPPHGLDWHO\UHWDNHQE\RXUPHQWKH\IRXJKWZLWKDGHVSHUDWLRQZRUWK\RIDEHWWHUFDXVH

7KHEDWWOHODVWHGKRXUVZHUHWUHDWHGDWSP&R'KDGRQHPDQNLOOHG&R(RQHZRXQGHG

7KHHQHP\ORVVZDVUHSRUWHGDWRUWKRXVDQG2XUUHJWKDGKHOSHGEXLOGDJUHDWPDQ\OLQHVRIZRUNVGXULQJWKHZDUEXWWKLVZDVWKHILUVWWLPHWKDWWKH\KDGWKHSULYLOHJHRIILJKWLQJEHKLQGZRUNVGXULQJDJHQHUDOHQJDJHPHQW

'LDU\HQWU\'HFHPEHU1DVKYLOOH



7

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

1HJOH\DQGUHFHLYHGPDLOZKLFKZDVTXLWHDZHOFRPHWUHDW

'LDU\HQWU\'HFHPEHU1DVKYLOOH)ULGD\7KLVPRUQLQJZHQWRQSLFNHWZDVSODFHGLQFRPPDQGRI%ULJDGHOLQHV7KH5HEFDYDOU\FDPHXSSUHWW\FORVHEXWRXUVGURYHWKHPDZD\MXVWDIWHUGXVN7KHLULQIDQWU\FDPHXSDQGHVWDEOLVKHGWKHLUOLQHVDPLOHLQIURQWRIXVDQGPDGHDWHUULEOHQRLVHFKRSSLQJDQGSXWWLQJXSEUHDVWZRUNV

'LDU\HQWU\'HFHPEHU1DVKYLOOH6DW'LGQWVOHHSEXWYHU\OLWWOH,WZDVDEOXVWHULQJUDLQ\QLJKW-XVWEHIRUHZHZDVUHOLHYHGDQHJURZRPDQFDPHDQGWROGRXUER\VWKH\FRXOGKDYHWKHPHDWLQKHUKRXVHDVVKHGLGQWZDQWWKH5HEVWRJHWLW6RXSWKH\ZHQWDQGWKH5HEVLQWKHQH[WKRXVHWHDULQJXSMDFNZKRVRRQVDZRXUER\VDQGFRPPHQFHGILULQJPDNLQJWKHEOXHFRDWVVNHGDGGOH%XWWKH\JRWDOOWKHPHDWPRODVVHVHWF,JRWEDFNWRFDPSDWQRRQDQGIRXQGDQHZ

GUHVVFRDWVHQWE\ZLIHLQWKHPDLODOVRP\ROGYDOLVHOHIWDW.QR[YLOOHEURXJKWXSE\*HR/RSS7KHUHLVVNLUPLVKLQJJRLQJRQRXUULJKWZHVWRIWKH)UDQNOLQ3LNH

/HWWHU'HFHPEHU1DVKYLOOH

Nashville, TennDecember 3rd, 1864

My DearWife,

I am all of a flutter of joyous excitement. Evening before last I received your long but very

interesting letter and papers also, one from brother bearing good news from home. Then last

evening I received the coat and contents of its pockets. Then again today one of Company C

came up from Knoxville and brought my old valise I thought I would never get again. It came just

in time for the Rebs captured our . . . . . [rest of sentence is unreadable, holes in the letter at the

crease].

All is good here! Coming in on the heels of the great victory we won over the enemy at Franklin

on the 30th

Nov makes us feel good. I have no doubt you have heard all about what we

accomplished but you must want to know how I came out which was all right. The Rebs fought

desperately. Colonels and Generals rode right up to our faces bringing their men up in fine style

but blue coats wouldnt budge back one inch and they fell victims of their own mad actions. A

person could walk over several acres of ground passing from one dead body to another. It was a

terrible slaughter.We took almost 3,000 prisoners and 12 colors. Many more could have been

taken up but it was dark & our forces fell back to this place inside its fortifications, where we canuse the Rebble army up if they come on to us. There is no quicker way of suffering this war than

by having the Rebs charge our works, when they invariably get whipped.

Well the coat fits a little loose but I suppose it will shrink some so I will keep it. The other one

shrank up so I had to sell it.

[Ewing stops writing for the 3rd

and picks back up on Sunday, the 4th

of December.]



8

'LDU\HQWU\'HFHPEHU1DVKYLOOH 6XQGD\6NLUPLVKLQJKDVEHHQJRLQJRQRXUULJKWDOOPRUQLQJ,ZDVYHU\SOHDVDQWO\VXUSULVHGWRJHWWKHYDOLVHWKDW,WKRXJKWZDVFDSWXUHGDW6SULQJ+LOOWKHWK1RZVXUHO\IRUWXQHIDYRUVPH+DYHQWEHHQGRZQLQWKHFLW\\HW:LOOWU\WRJRWRPRUURZ0DM3LFDUG>)UDQNOLQ3LFNDUG&R$@DQGKLVEDQGDUHJLYLQJXVWDWWRRRQWKHQHZGUXPVZHGUHZWRGD\ZLWKDORWRIFORWKLQJ


0RQGD\7RRNDVWUROOLQWRWKHFLW\VHHPVDOLWWOHFXULRXVWRVHHVRPDQ\SHRSOHLQFLWL]HQVFORWKHV)RXQGRXWZKHUHWKHH[SUHVVDQGSRVWRIILFHZDV+DYHEHHQLQ1DVKYLOOHEHIRUH6HHQRWKLQJIDPLOLDU

'LDU\HQWU\'HFHPEHU1DVKYLOOH7XHV7KLVPRUQLQJ6KHOE\DQG,WRRNDER[WRWKHH[SUHVVRIILFHZKLFK,VHQWWR0DU\,QWKHER[ZDVP\SRFNHWGLDU\ZKLFK,KDYHFDUULHGDOOVXPPHUDQGXSWRQRZ:HWKHQZHQWWRWKHSKRWRJDOOHU\DQGVHWIRUSKRWRV7KHQZHUHWXUQHGWRFDPSDQGIRXQGWKH5HJWUHDG\WRPDUFK0DLOHGOHWWHUWR0RWKHU0DUFKLQJRUGHUVDUHFRXQWHUPDQGHGDQGZHJRLQFDPSDJDLQ(YHZULWHWR0DU\6RPHKHDY\FDQQRQDGLQJRQRXUIURQW

'LDU\HQWU\'HFHPEHU1DVKYLOOH:HG$FROGPLVHUDEOHGD\DQGEXWOLWWOHZRRG:HGUHZVRPHFORWKLQJ6HQWOHWWHUWR0DU\$IWHUVXSSHUZHQWRYHUWRQG'LYLVLRQ+HDGTXDUWHUVZDVLQWURGXFHGWR&DSW6SDLQ>+DUULVRQ06SDLQ@RIWKHWK,QGLDQD6KHOE\DQG,WKHQZHQWWRWKH1HZ7KHDWHUVDZDJRRGSOD\EXWSRRUPXVLF


7KXUV'UHZJXQVDQGHTXLSPHQWVWXUQHGRYHURQHXQVHUYLFHDEOHJXQDQGHTXLSPHQWV/LHXW1*1HEHNHUDQGPHQRXWRQSLFNHW7KH\ZHUHDWWDFNHGDQGGULYHQEDFNVRPHGLVWDQFH3ULY-RKQ:LOVRQZRXQGHGLQWKHIRRWDQGVHQWWRKRVSLWDO,UHFHLYHGP\SKRWRV(YHQLQJ:HQWZLWK6HUJW:&2OGV>:LOOLDP&2OGV@WRWKHROGWKHDWUHVDZ$OODGLQSOD\HGDSUHWW\QLFHSOD\7KHQLJKWLVYHU\FROGDQGVHYHUHRQWKHER\VRQSLFNHW+RZHYHUWKHDUP\PXVWKDYHZDNHIXOH\HVHYHUORRNLQJWRZDUGVWKHHQHP\

1RWH:LOVRQGLHGRIGLVHDVHRQ'HFWK$FFRUGLQJWRWKH1DVKYLOOH'LVSDWFK'HFHPEHU$ODGGLQFRQWLQXHVWRGUDZQXPHURXVDXGLHQFHVWRWKLVWLPHKRQRUHGKRXVHDQGQRZRQGHUIRU0LVV-XOLD1HOVRQKDVZRQWKHKHDUWVRIDOOWKHEDFKHORUVDQG+DUU\(YHUHWWKDVZRQWKHDIIHFWLRQVRIWKHODGLHV*RDQGVHHWKLVVSHFWDFOHE\DOOPHDQVWKHVFHQHU\DORQHLVZRUWKGRXEOHWKHSULFHRIDGPLVVLRQ


. . . it is cold, raining, snowing, sleeting . . . we are in shelter tents, no wood and nothing

to make ourselves comfortable . . . the poor half-clad creatures [Confederates] out a

couple of miles must suffer with the cold, for they have no gum blankets nor plenty of

good clothing as we do.

There was a rumorjust now that they were leaving our front. I wish they would, and go

so far that we would see them no more of this winter.

. . . no wood to make fires and most of us thinly clad, our suffering is intense.

A.P. Cannon, 27th

Alabama, Bloody Banners, p. 102.



9


Camp 63rd

Indiana Vols

Nashville, Tenn

December 11th 1864

My DearWife,

Day before yesterday I commenced a letter to you but it was so cold yesterday and this morning that I didnt get it

finished for this mornings mail. But I have just got yours of Dec 4th

and glad to hear from you as I always am, but

when the interval between letters gets long as was the case this time I get anxious. You had evidently not got the

two or three letters I have written since the Franklin battle. Yes I was there in command of our Brigade skirmish

line when the battle commenced. But our Heavenly Father has spared me through another fierce conflict where

many fell, more worthy than I. It is impossible for me to give you any real idea of the fierceness of the charge of

the Rebbles. Or the gallantry with which it was met by the boys in blue. You will find by perusing my journals many

little insights of a soldiers life which I do not give in letters. I hope you will not give it to others to read and

criticize nor criticize it too closely yourself, for I know you will make many allowances when I come to tell you the

circumstances under which it was written during a ceaseless nine months campaign.

I am glad that the poor of Evansville are so well remembered by the farmers of Vanderburgh. I shall always be a

friend to the poor. Got the coat and it is generally admired by the Officers for its beauty and fineness, though it

doesnt fit as well as military rules would prescribe. However you can judge some by the enclosed photos how it

makes me look. The package sent by Tom I havent yet received, but I will get it I suppose. Dont bother about the

gold pen.

Mrs Harris must have a very interesting time. Well dont let her get mad at you. She spoke very highly of you and

Mother Eaton in her letter. I wish you had some pleasant companion until I get home, but then you have

peaceable neighbors who will I hope afford you protection. As to my coming home Christmas dont you flatter

yourself up so much a belief and then suffer a terrible disappointment, for there is no certainty at what time I canget to come home but I hope to see you sometime this winter. But it will depend a great deal on what the Rebs will

do and how the weather is for campaigning. This has been a terrible cold day and I have lain under my blankets all

day. But I hope you will plenty of wood and coal to keep you and Baby comfortable all the winter long. Write soon

to your affectionate one, Lee

December 14th

, 1864

Wednesday, Diary entry

Day before yesterday [the 12th

] there was 500 Rebels came in and gave up, tired of the

war.

December 18th

, 1864

Sunday, Diary entry

We came about eight miles yesterday and last eve could hear cannon ahead. But now

this morning the enemy is reported to be beyond Franklin where they suffered some

yesterday trying to check out advance. We move about a mile across farms and get on



10

the Franklin Pike where we find the commissary wagons and draw rations. Some

captured wagons and 300 captured prisoners pass to our rear. Some of them

barefooted. It is reported we have captured Gen Cheatham.

December 19th

, 1864

Monday, Diary entry

Oh what a night for any but veterans. The weather drizzled til about 3 p.m. when it set

in to rain in earnest and continued to pour down till late this afternoon. The first thing I

saw on waking up was a sea of mud and water all around me, and when I got up water

soon ran into the depression where I had slept. As soon as the men began moving

around, the soft earth became a perfect lob, which we had to cook, eat and stand

around near 4 p.m. when we moved over to Franklin and camp on the old battleground

which is dotted with many graves of the slainof 18 days ago. I went up to see the old

works where we lay during the fight. We are camped on solid grassy ground. The night is

cool and I think freezing but we are made comfortable by our camp stove which my boy

carries and we have a plank to sleep on. Crossing the bridge a man fell off but was near

enough to shore to scramble out safe but was bad scared.

December 20th

, 1864

Tuesday¸ Diary entry

We started in good time over frozen ground and ice though the pike was tolerable good

only in spots. All day we have passed the wrecks of Hoods fleeing army, signs of hot

pursuit.We reached Spring Hill at 4 p.m. and go in camp just before it commences to

rain again. The little village is very much dilapidated to what it was when we first saw it.

It was near that the Rebs came near cutting off our retreat up to Franklin. Made a

search to find commissary wagons but fail and have to crumb it scantily at that. Rain

increases and our bed is wet as has been for sometime.

/HWWHU'HFHPEHU1DVKYLOOHThursday, Ewing letter

Excerpt:

Day before yesterday [Dec 20th] we was at Franklin where there are hundreds of new

made graves filled by the enemy.

I went up to the old breastworks where we lay & all over our Brigade which is pretty

well dotted with Rebble graves. At one place there is 14 of Co K, 14th Miss laying in a

row. I see one grave marked by J.P. See[d] 55th TN. There are dead horses laying

around unburied. Some of them almost up over our works.

. . . Heaven I believe is favoring us that we will finally succeed in putting down the

Rebellion.

Notes:



11

y Jacobson records ten 14th

MS boys spread throughout various sections in his

book. The 14th

MS was in Adamss Brigade.

y J.P. See[d] is most definitely Lt. J.P. Seed, buried in plot# 207 | section 65

Tennessee. 55th

TN, Quarles Brigade.

December 24th

, 1864

Saturday, Ewing letter

Transcript coming

December 25th

, 1864

Sunday, Ewing letter

Transcript coming

Confederate units Ewing mentions?

Quarles ± Walthall¶s

1st Alabama

42nd Tennessee

46th Tennessee

48th Tennessee

49th Tennessee

53rd Tennessee

55th Tennessee ± Lt. J.P. Seed, buried in plot# 207 | section 65 Tennessee. 55th

TN,

Quarles Brigade.



12

Adams ± Loring¶s

At one place there is 14 of Co K, 14th Miss laying in a row.

6th Mississippi

14th Mississippi

15th Mississippi

20th Mississippi

23d Mississippi

43d Mississippi

CSA units that would have faced the Union left?

Loring¶s Division

Loring's Division

MG William W. Loring

Featherston's Brigade

BG Winfield S. Featherston

1st Mississippi

3rd Mississippi

22nd Mississippi

31st Mississippi

33rd Mississippi



13

40th Mississippi

1st Mississippi Battalion

Adams's Brigade

BG John Adams (k)

Col Robert Lowry

6th Mississippi

14th Mississippi

15th Mississippi

20th Mississippi

23d Mississippi

43d Mississippi

Scott's Brigade

BG Thomas M. Scott (w)

Col John Snodgrass

27th Alabama

35th Alabama

49th Alabama

55th Alabama

57th Alabama

12th Louisiana

Loring¶s Division¶s deaths by Brigade; 126 total.



14

The highest deaths by CSA unit in Loring¶s Division

0 5 10 15 20 25

1st Batty

3rd MS

31st MS

40th MS

6th MS

15th MS

23rd MS

Adams

27th AL

49th AL

57th AL

Series1

31st MS

15th MS

3rd MS

14th MS

33rd MS

20th MS

21

15

14



15

The Civil War Service of

Captain Addison Lee Ewing

Company I, 63rd

Indiana Infantry

A.What are Ewing¶s enlistment details?

B.Who was Addison Lee Ewing?

C.What action did the 63rd Indiana see?

D.What documents and resources are available?

E.Nov 29 diary entry

F.Nov 30 diary entry

G. Clarks diary account

H.Dec 1st diary entry

I. Dec 3rd diary entry

J. Dec 3rd letter

K.Dec 8th diary entry

L. Dec 8th letter

M. Dec 11th letter

N.Dec 14th diary entry

O. Dec 18th diary entry

P.Dec 19th diary entry

Q. Dec 20th diary entry

R.Dec 22nd letter

S.CSA units Ewing mentions

T.CSA units the Union left flank faced at Franklin: Loring

U.Loring¶s Division deaths by Brigade



16

V.Highest deaths by CSA unit in Loring¶s Division

What are the compelling human-interest elements of

Ewing¶s service?

y He was in his young adult prime age of 25.

y Newly married (1860).

y Newborn boy in 1861.

y Wife with newborn at home to fend for herself while husband away.

y He excels in rank and leadership in army.

Ancestry info

Addison Lee Ewing born Nov 3, 1839 in Indiana. Died October 1931 according to

funeral receipt.

Father was Arthur Ewing born in c. 1800 in England. Mother was Lucy Ann Lee,

fromWest VA (1802-1880).

Lee married Mary F[lorence] Eaton (b. May 1841) in 1860. Her father was from

Mass., mother from Louisiana.