I just finished this and have a few questions and comments. First I found it very interesting, particularly Ewell's role in the west and his other prewar activities.
I would have to say it is one of the few times I have seen Jackson portrayed in, while not a bad light, a less than favorable one. He is shown to be secretive in his overall plan, failing to share even basic information about an attack or troop movement with his subordinates. Outcome is usually favorable, but half the time even his fellow Confederates do not know the plan of attack.
Second, Ewell is constantly being criticized as being hesitant in attack, and this is used as the ultimate reason Lee replaces him as a Corps commander. The biggest hesitation is supposed to be Gettysburg. Yet there his troops had apparently been marching all over creation for several days and fighting most of the first day of the battle. Some of the subordinates wanted to press the attack through town, but Lee's orders were pretty wishy washy (Basically if you think you can would you consider attacking, if possible). Given the choice and not knowing what is over the hill, while cautious, Ewell's decision does not seem out of line. Hindsight being so good it is more obvious an attack may have succeeded, but…
Then the author really pushes that Ewell was replaced because Lee had no faith in him. But the reason for his replacement seems to be that Ewell was ill. The only person arguing against his being ill is Ewell. Even his personal doctor seems to say Ewell was too sick to return to command.
Early then being put in temporary command becomes permanent because of the fighting, which basically becomes continuous at that point. Lee seems to use the fighting as an excuse to not bring Ewell back, who is instead put in command of the troops in Richmond, where he seems to do fairly well with what he is given. So was he really replaced because he was timid, especially after losing his leg at 2nd Manassas, which was before Gettysburg, or was he replaced because of illness and situation which does not allow him to be brought back into a fluid situation.
tries a stucco repair product to contour his bases.