[112]
renewed?
The discussion of the question has provoked some criticism upon the conduct of the corps commander and the events of the first day.
Captain Cecil Battine, of the 15th Hussars in the English army, who has written a most graphic and intelligent account of the campaign, thinks Hill did not display his usual vim during the first day, and that his actions were characterized by a timidity unusual to one of his intrepid nature, and that he committed a mistake in putting his troops into action by brigades and fighting the battle piecemeal.
On the other hand, Colonel Mosby fiercely assails Hill in having departed from General Lee's plan in moving beyond Cashtown.
He contends that this place and not Gettysburg was selected by Lee as the point for the concentration of the army, and that Hill and Heth in making the so-called reconnaissance, were acting entirely upon their own initiative, and with a selfish desire to acquire a little glory on their own account.
Neither of these criticisms, the one suggesting timidity, the other charging unauthorized temerity, are deserved.
Hill and Heth were both brave and gallant soldiers, and Hill met an honorable death in the face of the enemy in front of Petersburg on April 2d, 1865.
When General Lee ordered Hill's division to report to Jackson in July, 1862, he wrote to Jackson that he would find A. P. Hill a ‘good officer,’ ‘with whom you can consult.’
Previous to the battle of Cedar Run, Hill was ordered by Jackson to move his division on a certain road at daylight the next morning.
Hill was ready to move at the appointed time, but found the road occupied by another division, which delayed the movement.
This greatly angered Jackson, who put Hill under arrest.
Hill made counter charges, and demanded a court martial, but General Lee decided the good of the service would not permit it. Notwithstanding this early friction between the two men, Jackson had high regard for Hill's ability, and it is said the last words which passed his lips in his dying moments, was calling upon A. P. Hill to bring up his division.
As to the first point made by Colonel Mosby, that Cashtown and not Gettysburg was the objective of the army, the authorities are
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Richmond, VA. 1909.
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