These shoulder straps were used by Brigadier General Thomas Ewing Jr., the foster brother of General William Tecumseh Sherman, who later became his brother-in-law when he married Ewing’s sister.
In 1862, Ewing recruited the 11th Kansas Cavalry and was elected its first colonel. In March 1863 he was promoted to brigadier general for his leadership at the Battle of Prairie Grove. Ewing’s Order No. 11, issued on August 25, 1863, forced Southern sympathizing civilians to evacuate all or part of four Missouri counties bordering the Kansas state line. Even civilians loyal to the Union had to leave rural areas for designated military posts. The military recognized that civilian support was essential to the guerrillas. Ewing’s order virtually depopulated these areas, and numerous homes were burned, causing a great deal of suffering without completely eliminating the guerrilla threat.
During Sterling Price’s 1864 raid through Missouri, Ewing commanded Fort Davidson near Pilot Knob. His successful defense of the fort and the safe withdrawal of Ewing and the garrison frustrated Price and inflicted many casualties on the Confederate army.
After the war Ewing practiced law in Washington, D. C. from 1865 -1870, where he represented three defendants in the Lincoln conspiracy trials; his efforts kept them from the gallows. Returning to Lancaster, Ohio to practice law in 1870, he was elected to Congress and served from 1877-1881. Moving to New York City in 1881, he resumed his legal career, and was killed in 1896 when he was struck by a bus.
Image Courtesy Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield; WICR 30224
