Stonewall Jackson and Ewell Clear the Valley #history #civilwar #union #confederate

Added: 2026-05-07

[00:00:00]It's during Ewell's initial entrance into the valley when we get a reference to Friday, a Native American boy who accompanied Ewell. The records list Friday as a slave, but the true relationship is unclear.

[00:00:11]Ewell bought the Pueblo boy from an Apache chief who had threatened to kill the boy. Ewell paid $75 for him.

[00:00:19]Friday would accompany Ewell throughout the war, but little is known about him.

[00:00:24]Ewell waited impatiently for Jackson to return from his foray against John C.

[00:00:28]Fremont's forces in the mountains of Western Virginia.

[00:00:31]Ewell also received messages from Joseph E. Johnston concerned about Union forces moving out of the valley and threatening Richmond.

[00:00:38]Ewell was in a tough spot.

[00:00:40]Jackson told him to stay put, but he was being ordered to keep an eye out for movement in Central Virginia.

[00:00:45]At his core, Ewell was a fighter and he was discouraged by the lack of action he saw.

[00:00:51]When Jackson finally made his return, he and Ewell sat down to discuss the upcoming campaign in the valley.

[00:00:57]It was at this meeting that Ewell and Jackson became closer.

[00:01:00]Ewell no longer harbored against Jackson for leaving him at Conrad's store.

[00:01:05]Both looked forward to the upcoming campaign. However, the plans nearly got shredded when Ewell received word from Johnston that he was needed further east. Ewell returned to Jackson to discuss this new development.

[00:01:17]They decided the situation had changed from the time Johnston sent the message, but the two gentlemen wouldn't have to worry about their plans being ruined for long.

[00:01:25]Johnston sent another order giving them leeway and they took it.

[00:01:29]Ewell and Jackson moved down the valley to Front Royal to outflank Union forces entrenched at Strasburg. At Front Royal, they either captured or drove away the entire enemy force there.

[00:01:40]From there, the two generals kept up their momentum pushing further north trying to cut off the Union troops under Nathaniel Banks at Strasburg.

[00:01:48]After the victory at Front Royal, Jackson's army pushed on toward Winchester.

[00:01:52]The Confederates made camp along the way and Ewell worked into the night.