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- Feb 5, 2017
From Gregory Coco
One could make the argument that this story could be included in either a Confederate or Union book of humor, and it probably does belong better in the latter. But since the anecdote also concerns a Southerner, General Ambrose P. Hill, it can fit in here.
It was common knowledge to many, both before and during the war, that in his youth, Ambrose Hill had fallen in love with Mary Ellen Marcy, daughter o Randolph B. Marcy, who became a Union general in late 1861. Unfortunately, another good man, George B. McClellan, was also her suitor. Both Hill and McClellan had been cadets together at West Point, and each served in the Mexican War. Ultimately, "Nellie," as Mary Ellen was called, married McClellan in 1860.
When war came to the country in April 1861, both men went their separate ways, one to the North, the other South. But the rumor continued that Hill had never gotten over the loss of Mary Ellen to George B. And this belief was kept alive by a goodly number of of Rebs and Yanks. Then it so happened that some Federal soldiers began to notice that in McClellan's campaigns around Richmond, and even at Sharpsburg, General Hill's Confederate troops were often in the forefront of battle. And when in this particular position, Hill's "Light Division" tended to attack either their front, flank, or rear, and especially early in the morning. Obviously, after a while, the Yankees under "Little Mac" grew tired of that sort of treatment. They also began to attribute their problems with Hill to his spite and vengeance toward McClellan for winning "Miss Nellie."
"Early one gloomy morning," as one scenario was said to unfold, "before the sun had appeared, there were shots of artillery and rattle of musketry which told of a spirited attack. Hill was at it again. The long roll was beaten, there was commotion and confusion and a rush to arms, in the midst of which one hardened old Union veteran unrolled himself from his blanket and in an inimitable tone of weariness and disgust cried out, "My God, Nelly, why didn't our marry him!"
@lelliott19 - this is for your boy!
One could make the argument that this story could be included in either a Confederate or Union book of humor, and it probably does belong better in the latter. But since the anecdote also concerns a Southerner, General Ambrose P. Hill, it can fit in here.
It was common knowledge to many, both before and during the war, that in his youth, Ambrose Hill had fallen in love with Mary Ellen Marcy, daughter o Randolph B. Marcy, who became a Union general in late 1861. Unfortunately, another good man, George B. McClellan, was also her suitor. Both Hill and McClellan had been cadets together at West Point, and each served in the Mexican War. Ultimately, "Nellie," as Mary Ellen was called, married McClellan in 1860.
When war came to the country in April 1861, both men went their separate ways, one to the North, the other South. But the rumor continued that Hill had never gotten over the loss of Mary Ellen to George B. And this belief was kept alive by a goodly number of of Rebs and Yanks. Then it so happened that some Federal soldiers began to notice that in McClellan's campaigns around Richmond, and even at Sharpsburg, General Hill's Confederate troops were often in the forefront of battle. And when in this particular position, Hill's "Light Division" tended to attack either their front, flank, or rear, and especially early in the morning. Obviously, after a while, the Yankees under "Little Mac" grew tired of that sort of treatment. They also began to attribute their problems with Hill to his spite and vengeance toward McClellan for winning "Miss Nellie."
"Early one gloomy morning," as one scenario was said to unfold, "before the sun had appeared, there were shots of artillery and rattle of musketry which told of a spirited attack. Hill was at it again. The long roll was beaten, there was commotion and confusion and a rush to arms, in the midst of which one hardened old Union veteran unrolled himself from his blanket and in an inimitable tone of weariness and disgust cried out, "My God, Nelly, why didn't our marry him!"
@lelliott19 - this is for your boy!
Bringing the