Southern Volunteer
Private
- Joined
- Sep 27, 2017
- Location
- Tallahassee, Florida
I've been reading on A.P. Hill lately and in addition to seeing more of his problems with his commanding officers, was exposed to the fact that he at one became so incensed with Longstreet that he challenged him to a duel which was of course prevented from happening. Led me to wonder, assuming either that it was fought to first blood or the death, who would have won? I don't have William Hassler's book with me at my overnight desk job or I'd get the quote but I remember reading that Hill at one point put his saber on leading me to think that it would have (unsurprisingly) been fought with swords over pistols. Thoughts on who would have prevailed? I think my money would have been on Longstreet due to his size but I'm curious to hear other opinions. Certainly would have been an interesting episode had it happened.
"After Hill’s refusal to forward even routine reports to headquarters, Longstreet placed him under arrest and confined him to quarters. Hill took the next step, issuing a challenge to his commanding officer to duel. The two men began making arrangements to settle their differences on the field of honor.
The possibility of losing one or both of his finest commanders finally moved Lee to take action. He restored Hill to his command, then transferred his division to Stonewall Jackson’s corps in the Shenandoah Valley" - One source
"After Hill’s refusal to forward even routine reports to headquarters, Longstreet placed him under arrest and confined him to quarters. Hill took the next step, issuing a challenge to his commanding officer to duel. The two men began making arrangements to settle their differences on the field of honor.
The possibility of losing one or both of his finest commanders finally moved Lee to take action. He restored Hill to his command, then transferred his division to Stonewall Jackson’s corps in the Shenandoah Valley" - One source