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I've discovered yet another great corps commander in A.P. Hill but it seems that he was plagued by health issues throughout the war? I also understand that there were several conflicts between Hill and Longstreet, (one resulting in his arrest) and Hill and Jackson, which were never resolved. I'm curious to know how A.P. Hill's men become known as the "Light Division?"
Hill had a venereal disease which he contracted on a break from West Point...it would follow him thorugh the rest of his life.
Longstreets issues with Hill came about after the battle of Glendale, when a newspaper artical was published by one of Hill's staff officers giving most of the credit for the battle to his troops. Longstreet became rather angry over that.
Jackson and Hill got into when Jackson felt Hill was not monitoring his march correctly, and Jackson felt that should be arrested for it.
AP Hill's men became known as the Light Division even though they were one of the largest divisions in the army. I've read about it long time ago, but I think it was because of their marching ability, as proven at Antietam. Correct me if Im wrong...I can't remember what i read.
Thank you for the information and it's good to see you back! It's unfortunate that Hill had a health issue such as venereal disease...I guess that's why it's not commonly talked about in some of the history books.
Hill was an amazing corp commander, don't you think?
Hill was quite a character, in an army of characters. Seems to have gotten along famously with his subordinates; but had that old West Point disease, the other one ( ;) ), of delighting in turf battles with peers. He absoutely doted on RE Lee. That wasn't a particularly healthy thing to do. At Gettysburg and the Wilderness his willingness to take his heros word as gospel resulted in Hill making some very unfortunate decisions.
His best days as a Corps commander came during the oft ignored Petersburg Campaign. With Longstreet and Ewell out of action Hill became the "experienced" Corps commander. He did very well in most encouters at Jerusalem Plank Road, Weldon Railroad, Reams Station, Hatchers Run.
It's unfortunate that the 3rd Corps had few surviving officers with literary interest. Their history is least documented of the three Corps of the ANV.
Think of AP Hill as a work in progress. I reserve "amazing" for "ole Blue Light" .
Dawna,
I feel Hill was fairly amazing. As Division commander he had to deal with an exceedingly difficult Jackson. Jackson taking none of Robert E Lee’s advice on dealing with Hill as well as his other subordinates. As a Corp commander he did not have the same high level of talent under him that Jackson had the luxury of possessing. By 63 the frost was on the bloom of the ANV. Not to mention at Gettysburg for instance in his Corps 13 brigades from 8 different states. Half of them had never worked with the other half, and only 8 of the brigades were under seasoned leaders. He did not have any time to do much of anything with the Corps to get it ship shape when it was trust into not only a major battle but one on the road.
From Patricia Faust's Historical Times Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Civil War, page 438
"The Light Division of the Army of Northern Virginia was created late in the spring of 1862 as Confederates concentrated to defend Richmond during the PENINSULA CAMPAIGN. The division's first commander was Maj. Gen. Ambrose P. Hill..."
"Some writers speculate that the division's name referred to its ability to march rapidly. Many of its soldiers believed that the name referred to the fact that they traveled light - without coats, shoes, food, and other necessities."
And now my commentary. Anyone studying the British Peninsular Campaign of the Napoleonic Wars will think of Gen. Robert Crauford and his Light Division. It received its name from the original components of Crauford's brigade, The Light Brigade. His regiments were all trained as light infantry including the 43rd (Oxs) and 52nd (Bucks) and 95th (later named Rifle Brigade). They were brought up to divisional strength by addition of additional regiments including some Portugese Cacadores (some were rifle armed). The Confederates, like all military men of the time, had studied the Campaigns of Napoleon and were very aware of Crauford.
Gary,
You commentary stating the idea that the Light Division may well have been named after the famous Light Brigade is as good as any. Anyone's guess is good as another. Some say it started as a joke, some because of fast movement, some lamenting the lack of supplies and some for the British Light Brigade.
In the end, the Division’s name was forged forever as one "made of steel, rather than flesh and blood." But the origin of the name appears to be lost forever.
All I can say for sure is the name was apparently first used by Hill in a brief communique' on June 1, 1862, to Branch with the words "Headquarters, Light Division." OR, XI, pt. 3, 567
YMOS
tommy
(Message edited by aphillbilly on September 22, 2004)
Thank you Tommy, Gary & Dave for the information on A. P. Hill. It's unfortunate that this General's army career was so plagued by health issues and there certainly were a few...would this account for Hill's disaster at Bristoe Station?
AP Hill's mistake at Bristoe Station was simply a mistake. The only reason for it was over eagerness I guess you could say. In his defense I would point out that he felt Anderson was close enough to protect the flanks, McIntosh’s guns had taken a position on high ground and he felt the Union was in full retreat. He walked right into a trap. Simple as that. The battle was so quick (40 minutes) by the time he actually found out what was going on, it was over.
Hill received a lot of criticism from many quarters. Yet he did not hedge nor rationalize. To his credit, he took complete blame for the disaster. He filed his official report promptly; and in a confession truly remarkable in Civil War communiques, Hill closed with the statement “I am convinced that I made the attack too hastily, and at the same time, that a delay of half an hour, and there would have been no enemy attack. In that event I believe I should equally have blamed myself for not attacking at once.”
Secretary of War James Seddon endorsed the report with the observation: “The disaster at Bristoe Station seems due to the gallant but over-hasty pressing of the enemy.” Jefferson Davis read Hill’s account and passed a blunt judgement: “There was a want of vigilance.”
The “grievous blow” at Bristoe Station “affected brave Hill deeply,” an acquaintance wrote, and “General Lee was no less melancholy.” As rain fell on the fifteenth, Federals retreated “in great haste” because of a report that Hill was about to attack again. That morning Lee rode over the battlefield with Hill. The two men viewed the torn ground, with bodies still strewn around the now-abandoned railroad cut. Hill desperately explained what had happened and repeatedly apologized. Lee, with obvious disappointment, silently looked over the scene as raindrops fell from his hat brim. “Well, well, General,” he finally said, “bury these poor men, and let us say no more about it." The two officers then rode slowly from the field.
The loss at Bristoe Station would haunt Hill for the rest of the war.
From Robertson’s book on Hill.
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