Ewell near Heidlersburg and "was informed that the object was to concentrate the corps at or near Cashtown, and received orders to move the next day to that point." Let it be clearly understood then that General Lee gave no orders for Hill's advance to Gettysburg July 1st; that he had no intention to fight a battle there on that day; that he was firm in his purpose to fight a defensive battle, and that General Hill, and not he, was responsible for the battle that occurred on the morning of July 1st.
Thus General Lee's determination to fight a defensive battle and to fight it at Cashtown, which was an ideal position for such a battle, was frustrated by the unauthorized action of his Lieutenant-General. General Hill in his report states that he went to Gettysburg on a reconnoissance to ascertain whether the enemy was there in force. But Heth had ascertained the day before that the Federals were there. Instead of this Hill put two of his divisions into action with the enemy and sent to Ewell for renforcements, thus, one might think, doing his best to bring on a general action which General Lee had expressly forbidden. Let it be remembered that we have General Lee's own word that his headquarters were to be at Cashtown, and that we have the word of General Long and General Pendleton for the fact that Lee was still on the west side of the great South Mountain when he heard the firing of Hill's guns.
In view of the facts now stated the dispassionate critic cannot acquit General A. P. Hill of blame in the course which he elected to pursue. Gallant and able and energetic as he was, A. P. Hill displayed the same inconsiderate rashness here that he is said to have exhibited in the seven days battles around Richmond, and again in a subsequent campaign at Bristow Station. His action on this occasion disarranged the plan General Lee was resolved to pursue, and precipitated a great battle which compelled Lee to assume the offensive with an inferior force against the enemy posted in an almost impregnable position.
The gallant, but impulsive Hill, reminds us of Marshall Ney, of whom in one of Napoleon's campaigns, the historian says:
