During the American Civil War, Lt. Gen. Richard S Ewell was shot in the leg at Gettysburg..?

Question

Do you know the interesting /amusing story about this event?

Answer 1

It didn't hurt that much because it was a wooden leg...he had previously lost his leg...I can't remember where.

Answer 2

Probably because of the loss of his leg and replacement with a wooden stump or peg, Gen. Ewell lacked the drive that he had prior to losing his real leg. His lack of initiative in following up the union defeat on the first day by not taking Culp's Hill and Cemetery Hill cast a broad shadow on his military career.

Here's an excerpt regarding the incident:

"Late in the afternoon of this first day's battle, when the firing had greatly decreased along most of the lines General Ewell and I were riding through the streets go Gettysburg. In a previous battle he had lost one of his legs, but prided himself on the efficient of the wooden one which he used in it's place. as we rode together, a body of Union soldiers, posted behind some buildings and fences on the outskirts of the town, suddenly opened a brisk fire. A number of Confederates were killed or wounded, and I heard the ominous thud of a Minie ball as it struck General Ewell at my side. I quickly asked: 'Are you hurt, Sir?' 'No,no,' he replied; 'I'm not hurt. But suppose that ball had struck you: we would have had trouble of carrying you off the field, sir. You see how much better fixed for a fight I am than you are. It don't hurt a bit to be shot in a wooden leg.'