Page:Confederate Military History - 1899 - Volume 1.djvu/726

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CONFEDERATE MILITARY HISTORY.


part of the "brunt of battle" at Cold Harbor, Frayser’s Farm, and in the following movements by which McClellan was driven from Richmond. The command of Hill was usually termed "the Light Division, " a suggestive designation of which its commander seemed to be proud, and which it illustrated by the celerity and courage of its movements in the battles against Banks at Cedar Run, and Pope at the second Manassas. He participated in the capture of Harper s Ferry with its garrison of 11,000 troops and large supplies of artillery, small arms and general military stores, and was appointed to parole the prisoners and secure the fruits of the capture. This accomplished he hurried to the field of Sharpsburg, reaching the scene of that bloody battle in time to be of special service in a critical juncture. Attacking promptly at double-quick, with a part of his command, immediately on reaching the field, he joined other Confederate forces in a countercharge on Burnside s forces, which sent them back in confusion. After remaining with Jackson in the valley he was ordered to join Lee at Fredericksburg, and was stationed on the right of Jackson s corps in the battle of the 13th of December. At Chancellorsville, in 1863, he commanded his division under Jackson at the moment of that great soldier s wounding. His orders from his daring chief were to "press right in," and while obeying the command he received the news of Jackson’s fall. The command devolving on him, and perhaps freshly inspired by the heroic orders of his commander, he "pressed right in" with an impetuosity which was stayed only by the severe wound which disabled him from further service that day. The army was reorganized after the battle of Chancellorsville and General Hill, made lieutenant-general May 24, 1863, was assigned to the command of the Third army corps, which he commanded at Gettysburg and in the subsequent operations in Virginia. On the 26. of April, 1865, his thin line at Petersburg was overwhelmed, and while personally com-