This was the same Ewell who acquired considerable reputation as a Confederate general during the rebellion.

He was a man much esteemed, and deservedly so, in the old army, and proved himself a gallant and efficient officer in two wars -- both in my estimation unholy.
I immediately procured a horse and started for the country, taking no baggage with me, of course.

There is an insignificant creek--the Gravois--between Jefferson Barracks and the place to which I was going, and at that day there was not a bridge over it from its source to its mouth.

There is not water enough in the creek at ordinary stages to run a coffee mill, and at low water there is none running whatever.

On this occasion it had been raining heavily, and, when the creek was reached, I found the banks full to overflowing, and the current rapid.