A.P. Hill's Illness

[Neo-Confederate]

hi everyone, this is my first post on this board. what do yall think was wrong with General Hill? i've heard everything from VD to hepatitis to manic depression, personally i think that although Hill may have had some lasting complications from gonorrhea that he contracted while at West Point, he also suffered from a severe case of depression, manic or otherwise. i have read on another forum that manic depression runs strongly in Hill's family and that his descendants believe that Hill himself had it. and from the descriptions of Hill's performance it sounds as if his moods changed from one extreme to the other, one day he would be right up front leading his men and the next day he wouldn't be able to get out of bed. but i don't think Hill was trying to shirk his responsibility, depression can be every bit as debilitating as any physical illness. and in spite of his depression he was still one of the South's best generals.

A.P. Hill’s illness has been something of a mystery for a couple of reasons. One is the initial cause of it was something that just wasn’t discussed back then. Specially in correspondences so historians could benefit. Another was Hill was lost from history for quite some time and his personal correspondence and records were eaten by rats etc sitting in an old shed for 60 years. Had he survived the war there is little doubt he would have been far more well known today. He died at the worst possible time as far as prosterity goes.

Here is what I have discerned from all I have learned. You may take from it what you will. No doubt there are others who will disagree. He did indeed contract a sexually transmitted disease while at West Point. Which put him behind a year from graduating. The illness had run it course but it left lasting damage to Hill. He also had contracted malaria returning from the Mexican War. By the time the CW had come about he had reoccurring bouts with chronic acute prostatitis. Possibly brought on by his sexually transmitted disease. While rare today, it was believed to have been more common before the advent of antibiotics. The ill treated sexual disease may have caused abcesses in his prostate as well. Prostatitis has been shown to have the same effect on a patient's mental health as diabetes mellitus and congestive heart failure. So I have no doubt it affected his mood. Yet Hill was described often as a fun loving gregarious companion. He and Stuart were really tight and loved to party together.

Yet even so, Hill was not one to mope. Short tempered yes. Nor would he have fit the manic depressive profile from the DSM-IV. In fact very few administrators of any kind can long survive in thier position with a bi polar disorder that would cause the effects as severe as Hill presented. Chronic acute prostatitis symptoms would include pain in the lower abdomen, testicles, and penis; discomfort during urination; or a weak urinary stream with dribbling. Advanced cases may also have fever, chills, frequent urge to urinate, burning urination, blood passed in the urine, and pain in the joints and muscles. All of these symptoms would be worsened by stress and activity.

Having no way to cure the condition, since a broad spectrum antibiotic taken over a period of up to 12 weeks is the only thing that works, his condition would be advanced to the point he was suffering from uremia and low blood pressure. Which, given time and the forced activity, would have killed him. Bear in mind just sitting upright, much less, riding a horse would have been an incredible agony for him and would have greatly aggravated his condition. Had he took a year off, stayed off horses, drank only water and tea, no alcohol, then he could likely have recovered. Somewhat. The force of will it would have taken to continue to command troops must have been a herculean effort. And that effort would have served to only make him worse.

We know from many references that Hill often ran enormously high fevers. As well as his color was very bad. At both Gettysburg and the Wilderness he was running a fever of 102-103 if my memory serves me. (His absence at Fredericksburg was due to loss of his daughter) There are many references from officers and men that Hill looked like he was dying on his feet. Yet even in these cases he would request being in the ambulance nearby. During the Wilderness he had to lay flat on the ground in sight of the battle to give orders. Being unable to sit. In fact, he was not the one that insisted upon sick leave. He was ordered off the field. Lee was no man’s fool. He would not have kept A.P. Hill at his side throughout the war if he thought Hill was not really and truly sick. Hill hated leaving command because of illness.

Many times it has been pointed out Hill was ill at crucial times during battles. While the increased activities during a battle would and no doubt did affect his performance, it must be noted that he was ill often in between battles too. And the day he died he had in his pocket Sick Leave Papers from Gen Lee to get some rest. And indeed he did. May he rest in Peace.

YMOS
tommy

[ole]

Tommy:
Thanks for clearing up the mystery. It seems logical and your exposition is the first I've read that had any real information in it.
Ole

[8thvacav]

ole, Read James Robertson's book on A.P. Hill.

General A.P. Hill : The Story of a Confederate Warrior

Reviewer: Gregory Canellis "histguy@webtv.net, Student of military history" (Tuckerton, NJ USA) - See all my reviews

Despite his meteoric rise to command troops in nearly every battle of Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia, Ambrose Powell Hill was arguable the Confederacy's most underrated general. Rising from a colonel of a Virginia infantry regiment to Major General in command of the new Third Corps, Army of Northern Virginia, A.P. Hill was perhaps best known for leading his Light Division on a forced march from Harper's Ferry to arrive in the nick of time to save Lee from total defeat at the Battle of Antietam/Sharpsburg. James I Robertson Jr. has thoroughly examined the perplexities of a complex man: one who could display the virtues of righteousness and compassion one moment and become impetuous, childish and unforgiving the next. What is more, Robertson's battle narratives are enthralling, placing heavy emphasis on infantry soldiering in the foulest of weather, rugged terrain and the difficulties of communications in an age when battle communiques traveled only as fast as a man could ride a horse. How a man of Hill's temperament, racked by life-long bouts of illness, and wounds handles rapid promotion, and, at which point reaches a level of incompetence, is the theme of Robertson's compelling story. From the age of twelve, young Powell read the exploits of Napoleon Bonaparte and was inspired to become a soldier. Hill entered West Point in 1842 in the infamous class of 1846. His classmates were Thomas J. Jackson, George Pickett and George McClellan, to name a few. Hill formed an immediate dislike for Jackson that would last for the rest of his life, while forming a close friendship with his roommate McClellan. In 1844, while returning to West Point from summer furlough, Hill contracted gonorrhea in New York City. He was forced to take an extended sick leave home, requiring him to repeat a year of studies. Upon graduation, Hill was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the 2nd U.S. Artillery Regiment. Robertson paints Hill's military career after West Point was one of sickness and boredom. In Mexico, Hill came down with typhoid fever that left him bedridden for six weeks. In Florida he would battle disease and boredom for six long years, especially repeated prostate problems associated with the untreatable venereal disease. Because of poor health, Hill requested to be transferred to a desk job in Washington. Hill's gift for staff work brought him to the attention of Jefferson Davis. After Succession, Hill not only chose loyalty to Virginia but also saw war as a chance for rapid promotion. Hill was appointed colonel in the 13th Virginia Infantry. He drove his men hard, and trained his regiment to the peak of proficiency. This leadership style would remain a permanent characteristic of A.P. Hill and would produce substantial benefits in future campaigns. Robertson shows a compassionate side of A.P. Hill during this period. During First Battle of Bull Run/Manassas, Hill would often be seen offering a weary soldier his horse while he walked alongside. He once noticed a sergeant who was obviously sleep deprived, and allowed him to lie down for a couple hours to regain his strength. These acts of kindness did not go unnoticed by his men. Typhoid fever, measles, mumps, diarrhea, dysentery and jaundice soon ran rampant among Hill's regiment. Much to his chagrin, Hill was held in reserve during the actual battle yet, a rapid series of promotions would soon follow. Hill was promoted to Brigadier General for the Peninsula Campaign. Hill soon gained a reputation for leading from the front in battle, distinguishable by the red or calico "battle shirt" he always wore in combat. Soon afterwards, he was promoted to Major General, commanding the infamous Light Division in the Seven Days Battles. In just ninety-days, Hill went from a colonel in charge of one regiment, to major general in charge of a division. Here, the author begins to raise doubt about how well Hill handled the transition, while weaving a compelling battle narrative. Hill's independent nature soon led to clashes with his two immediate superiors. As already mentioned, Hill despised Jackson and he did not care all that much for James Longstreet either. During the Peninsula Campaign, Hill and Longstreet got into a childish squabble that almost had tragic consequences. A war correspondent had been traveling with Hill's headquarters during that campaign. He wrote a series of newspaper articles that drastically inflated Hill's accomplishments at Mechanicsville and Fraser's Farm. According to Robertson, Longstreet felt slighted after he read the articles. Longstreet then wrote a "rebuttal," via his chief of staff, Moxley Sorrel and sent the letter to be published in a rival newspaper. Sorrel routinely acted as official liaison between Hill and Longstreet. After this incident, however, Hill refused to communicate with Sorrel. Consequently, Longstreet placed Hill under arrest. Hill, accosted Lee requesting he be relieved from Longstreet's command. A series of nasty letters passed between Hill and Longstreet until Hill finally challenged Longstreet to a duel. Lee had to quickly intercede to avoid a disaster. Another episode involved Hill's nemesis, Jackson. Lee had devised a plan for Hill's division to cross the Chicahominy River and attack Union forces at Mechanicsville. Hill was to wait until Jackson, enroute from his famed Shenandoah Campaign, arrived to support Hill's attack. On the morning of the scheduled day of the attack; Hill's division was assembled early and ready for battle. Hill's men waited for hours with no sign of Jackson. Finally at 3:00 PM, General Hill crossed the Chicahominy and advanced towards Mechanicsville without "Stonewall." Hill successfully drove the Federals from Mechanicsville; however, they dug in at Beaver Dam Creek and could not be dislodged. As a result, the day ended in stalemate with Hill suffering a high butcher's bill.Naturally, Hill blamed Jackson for failing to arrive at the rendezvous on time. The relationship between Hill and Jackson worsened, until Hill was ultimately placed under arrest for a second time, and, as punishment, Jackson sent Hill to act as rear guard of Lee's army. This is how the Light Division, hitherto marching at the van , would find itself in Harper's Ferry while the Battle of Antietam was under way. As we know, Hill would redeem himself by saving Lee from possible defeat, and command a corps at Gettysburg. A federal sharpshooter ended the life of Gen. A.P. Hill on April 2, 1865, killing him while Hill reconnoitered his forward positions at Petersburg. Robertson's analysis of Hill's vulnerable pride, bordering on disrespect, the childish in-fighting within Lee's command, coupled with forceful battle narrative, makes this book difficult to put down. Five-stars and highly recommended!

[Neo-Confederate]

i realize that Hill suffered from long-term complications from gonorrhea, namely prostatitis, i just don't think that's the only thing that was wrong with him. he also suffered from severe depression. what makes you think that Hill wouldn't fit the profile of a manic depressive, it seems to me that he fits it perfectly. he had rapid mood swings from happiness to extreme despair, he was very impulsive, and from what i've read about him as well as Hill's own writings it seems that he was a depressed and bitter person.
i also believe that Hill committed suicide. he had said before that he didn't want to live to see the South lose the war, and when he left his house on the morning of april 2nd, 1865 he had decided hat he was gonna make sure once and for all that he wouldn't live to see them lose. he probably thought that it would be much more honorable for the yankees to kill him than for him to shoot himself, so he decided that he would put himself in a situation where he would get shot. why else would he have charged toward the yankees after they refused to surrender and drop their weapons instead of riding away from them as fast as he could, like his aide did? Hill had simply had enough and wanted to die, and he thought being killed by the yankees in battle would be the most honorable way to go.

[samgrant]

Lieutenant General Ambrose Powell Hill

For years, writers cited the Commander of the Third Corps, Army of Northern Virginia (ANV) as having some type of psycosymptomatic disorder. It always seemed to them that when the action was getting hot or stressful, down went A.P. Hill. In his book A.P. Hill: The Story of a Confederate Warrior, James I. Robertson challanges this idea saying that General Hill suffered cruelly from prostatis, brought on by his "youthful indiscretion" while on furlough from West Point. We can not say for certainty if this was indeed what was wrong with Hill. Some say that the General was suffering from malaria. A.P. Hill was born November 9, 1825 in Culpepper, Virginia. While he was a cadet at West Point in the summer of 1844 he contracted gonorrhea. The disease was so bad that he graduated a year behind, in the class of 1847. He suffered from typhoid fever in Mexico and from yellow fever later. Hill was wounded at Chancellorsville through the calves of his legs. At Gettysburg on July 1, he was ill. Between 1864 and 1865 he suffered from occasional illness. The suggestion of Robertson was that he was suffering from prostatis and a stricture, resulting in chronic infection, impaired kidney function, and uremia. This is, however, only speculation. Hill was killed by a bullet through the heart on April 2, 1865 at Petersburg.

Major General James Ewell Brown Stuart

JEB Stuart was commander of the ANV's cavalry and was mortally wounded at the battle of Yellow Tavern in May of 1864. Stuart was born Feb. 6, 1833 in Patrick County, Virginia and graduated from West Point in 1854. He was wounded in the chest on July 29, 1857 in Kansas by a pistol shot. On May 11, 1864, Stuart was shot by a dismounted trooper at a distance of only 10 to 15 yards. The bullet had a speed of 700 feet per second. The bullet entered on the right side below the ribs. It passed into the peritoneal cavity. Stuart's intestines were perforated in at least a few places. He also suffered from damaged blood vessels. There was speculation that the bullet had ranged up and passed into his liver. It took him 27 hours to die. Stuart died from a combination of peritonitis and internal hemoraging at about 7:30 in the evening of May 12, 1864.

Major General Winfield Scott Hancock

A wound suffered at Gettysburg hindered the rest of famed Second Corps General Hancock's Civil War career. Born on Valentine's Day, 1824, Hancock graduated from West Point in 1844 and served in the Mexican War. He was wounded slightly in the knee at Churubusco and was suffering from chills and fever during the battle of Chapultepec. Hancock was wounded while sitting on his horse on July 3 at Gettysburg. The bullet entered his right thigh and lodged, carrying in some foreign material. An improvised tourniquet staunched the bleeding. The wound remained a constant problem for Hancock until a surgeon, Dr. Louis Read, was able to find the bullet and remove it. In June of 1864, the wound reopened and bone fragments extruded from it. Hancock gave up command on June 17, but returned to command on the 27th. He gave up command of the Second Corps in November 1864. Hancock died on Feb. 9, 1886 in New York. The book Hancock at Gettysburg by A.M. Gambone gives much detail about General Hancock's wounding.

John Fulton Reynolds

General John F. Reynolds fell defending his native state of Pennsylvania in command of the Left Wing of the Army of the Potomac. Reynolds was born on September 20, 1820 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and graduated from West Point in 1841. Before the War, he suffered from at various times bilious fever, yellow fever, and malaria. On the morning of July 1, Reynolds was shot through the back of the head by a rifle ball. The bullet entered behind the right ear and passed through the brain. He fell face down from his horse. No obivious bleeding was present. When his aides turned him onto his back, he smiled, gasped once, and apparently died. He apparently died within a minute or two of being shot.

Brevet Major General Joshua L. Chamberlain

A terrible wound taken at the battle of Petersburg was declared by surgeons to be mortal, but it would be fifty years before General Chamberlain succumbed to the wound. Born Sept. 8, 1828, Chamberlain saw action with the Fifth Corps Army of the Potomac from Antietam to Appomattox. He was scratched on the face at Fredericksburg in Dec. 1862. In June 1863, he suffered sunstroke. At Gettysburg on July 2, he was wounded twice in the foot and hip. Both wounds were minor. From August on, he suffered from malaira. On June 18, 1864, he was shot, the bullet passing through his hips and body. The bullet severed arteries, nicked the bladder, and broke the pelvic bones. Expected to die, Chamberlain survived. Returning to the Army, he was wounded at Quaker Road on March 29, 1865. The bullet passed through the neck of his horse, hit his arm, and struck him in the chest where it was deflected. Chamberlain suffered for the rest of his life with the wounds he took at Petersburg though he had a distingushed post war career. Eventually, the infection caused his death on Feb. 24, 1914.

From - http://ehistory.osu.edu/uscw/feature...n/generals.cfm


See also - http://civilwartalk.com/forums/showt...****%27s+wound

[whitworth]

There are many Civil War generals, who would never pass a modern army physical examination and remain in the Army.

[5fish]

On A.P. Hill, I tend to differ about STD related illness. He was to have caught it 20 years earlier then wham it strikes. He got married 1859 and had four girls. I know you can still have kids with some STD's but think about it.

His mystery illness does not show up until the Gettysburg raid(Can't call it a campaign).

A note: His mother always claimed to have real and imagine illnesses.

Medical care was a Gothic nightmare back then. The best a doctor could do for you stay by your side and give you comfort until you died.

He was promoted to Corp. commander now he is directly under Lee, no middle man. I believe STRESS of war and from being directly under Lee caused this mystery illness. I bet working for Lee was a nightmare as he lost confidence in his Corp commanders. Lee has control issues a person so earning his trust will be hard to do and you look at the future battles from Gettysburg on. Lee takes direct control of the army when in battle. He only trust Longstreet to run things in the field during a battle. Stress was an unknown concept back then. In football coaching its called "Burnout"

During the Overland campaign Ewell comes down with mystery illness and it looks to be STRESS related as well or Burnout

I would bet Gen Lee was becoming "burnout" as well. He never left the field the whole war and by the end of the war he is trying do everything himself. A classic sign of Burnout. He never took a Holiday!

[Nico_Davout]

Originally Posted by whitworth

There are many Civil War generals, who would never pass a modern army physical examination and remain in the Army.

In one book about Atlanta, author concluded that rebel soldiers in trenches of Atlanta would be today described as totaly unfit for duty . Also rebel soldiers who were lightly wounded in a battle were considered to be unhurt in battle statistics. Think of modern armies, where glasses or teeths can stop You from getting into certain arms .

[ole]

Once again, 5 fish, you've tipped over the cart. "preciate it.

ole