The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-05-31

foated whether at the head OF q regiments
the battle field. il ioated with a grace and .
confidence born 81 skill. ability and courage,
which infused its confidence and courage into
the hearts of all who followed II.
II was ever advanced nearest the enemy's
line; over At the post OF danger: always IN tho
thickest Of the tight, Ii ioated over more VIC
iorious fields and trailed in the dust OF fewer
neieats than any flag IN the Army OF Northern
Virginia.
Hrs LIYE.
Ambrose Powell Hill was born in Culpeper
county. Va, in the year ISIS. and entered tho
United States Military Academy at West Point
IN l-42, Owing to iii health he did not gradi-
ate until July: isfs. and was Immediately or:
nered 20 ioin MS regiment IN Mexico as second
=, lie REACHED his pos, o, duty III front of tho
w OF henco IN time 10 participate IN several
OF the closing engagements which opened the
gates OF the city 20 the American froops aud
p!a9ed General Scott IN possession OF the halls
OF the honteZuma-.
For gallant conduct in those Affairs be WAS
bfeYeted hrst lieutenant of artillery, having
won his spurs In his first battle.
After the close OF the MEXICAN war Iieutenans
nm was stationed FOR several years IN Florida,
leading quiet, uneyentful life. interpreting
the routine duties Of garrison life with reading.
hunting ana nshing.
la ls51 no was detailed for service in the
United States Coast Survey office inWashingtoa
city, where he remained until the spring Of
1851.
In this position, as IN all others. Lieutenant
fiil was faithful and attentive 20 his duties
AMI great isvorite with all his brother of-
GERS as well as IN the refined circle of society in
which he moved.
In the year 1850 he married sister Of the dis
tingulshed Confederate General John Morgan.
And now the young soldiers cup seemed full
with nothing more 10 be desired. la the enjoy
ment or domestic felicity. possessed Of fortune,
surrounded by friends, with every prospect II
sneedy promotion and advancement in his
chosen profession. he had every inducemept 10
side with the Union. and every selfish consld-
Grafton appealed 20 him TO east his lot with tho
nFtlAr hnh had Nal a..a al
20 remain with the flag no had marched under
IN foreign lands.
HILL ~ 1861.
When the year 1861 was nshered in and he saw
state after state Withdrawn from the Union
and heard their senator's and representatives,
resign their seats in Congress. and war became
inevitable. he was urgently appealed 10 by his
army associates 20 remain in Washington. and
was promised thai IN the event he remained no
would not be required TO use his sword against
his native State
But the good Virginia blood which coursed
through his veins. aud which came 90 him from
Revolutionary slres claiming kindred with the
old Culpeper Minute Men, acknowledged aegl-
ance to no power save Virginia And as soon
As he secession Of hi, Stale became fixed fact
he resigned his commission In the army, and
bidding farewell TO old friends.and comrades
rei orted 10 duty 20 Governor Ietcher and was
commissioned colonel of Virginia volunteers.
Colonel Hlll Vas at once ordered To report to
General Joseph +. johnston. then in command
or the troops on the upper Potomac and MAS rs,
signed 10 the command OF the Thirteenth |lr-
ginia infantry; made np Of companies from tho
counties Of Orange, Culpeper, Louisa. Hamp>
shire and Frederick IN virginia, and one COM
pany from Baltimore, Maryland.
This regiment was COMPOSED OF splendid ma.
terial, and by his training and discipline and
from the spirit he infused into Its officers and
men II was made equal to the best regular
trooDs and became as well known throughout
the Army Of Northern Virginia as Its first loved
commander.
or this regiment General Lee said ut is a
splendid body of men" General Ewell said; 1t
j. tho only regiment In my command that never
fails" General Jeb. Stuart said: " IL always
does exactly what tell it," And General tarly
said: They can do moro hard fighting and DO
IN better plight afterwards than any troops |
From Harpera Ferry to Appomsttox this
splendid body OF men carried me battle-nag oI
their regiment into every battle fought by Leo
and Jackson and never failed.
To the last the remnant Of the regiment was
as gndaunted. as unwaverlng ana ~ ready toi e-
spond 20 the order 10 charge "a at the begin.
ning. and when. at the surrender, they stacked
arms IN front of division Of the Federal army
and set their faces homeNard they marched on
with the swinging gait OF Jackson 1907 caFalry,
cheering for Jefferson Davis and FOR the South
ern Com ederacy.
Though their first loved commander was then
dead GA the teld OF honor his spirit was stll
with them.
They were as brave as over fought beDeath
knightly plume or on tented field
The pass at ROncesyalles looked not on \
Drawer or better band when fell before tho op-
posing lance the harnessed chiyalry Ok spain
At the battle of Slaughiers Mountain. when tho
left Of the Confederate limo of battle was thanked
and driven back in confusion, tho Thirteenth
femalned mistaken. and NJ the word spitng
forward IN the face Of the advancing columns OF
the enem5 10 save battery OF colonel Snowden
Andrew artillery left unsupported and Ia iminI-
nent danger Of Deing captured. After saving
the battery and checking the enemys advance
they held their ground while almost surrounded
until 4. T. Hills division came 10 tho front. and
with his victorious line they assisted IN driving
back the ASSUMING columns for over mle. ana
when night closed the pursuit blyOuacked IN
the very front OF the Confederate INES within
pistol hot Of the enemy's position and fnl,y
mile IN advance OF the rest Of their division.
But asking pardon for this depression we return
In the soring Of 1861 General Joseph T.. John
st0n. learning that General Mcclellan was or
ganlIing It force on tho Baltimore ana ONO
railroad, about New Creek. aud threatening his
flank sent A. l.. Hill with his own, the
Tenth Virginia and Third tennessee regiments
90 Komney. IN Hampshire county TO observe
and check the movement The task was ac-
c0mplished by Colonel Hill IN manner 10 call
forth honorable mention ana on his return 10
the army 10 was cQnndently eApecieh by his
friends that he would be promoted and assigned
to the command Of the regiments then under
him. but the government st richmond nsii
thai Virginia 4 al already more than her share
OF brigadlers aud that no more appointments
would DC made from that state Tor the iimo
being.
DIsAPPoINTgD.
That Colonel Hi was disappointed at this.
thore can be no doubt. but he submitted with
ont murmur and with his three Regiments re-
ported 20 General Arnold EiZey. OF Maryland,
who hal inst been promoted, and whose old
regiment. the First Maryland, nnlted to INNS
three was known a. the Fourth brigade. 49,
A. the battle Of First Manassas Colonel Hllls
regiment was not engaged, having heen sent 10
the right flank 10 strengthen position sup
posed 10 be IN need Of achievements.
The loss Of this opportunity was another
source OF disappointment, but during the re-
mai lder OF the year 1851. which was spent 10
mastery inactivity Colonel Hill was untiring
i'm his efforts 20 drill. discipline and organize
the raw recruits OF which General Johnsons
army was composed. and by his experience. MS
military education and his sklll as an organ
Ter he contributed much 20 lay the foundation
for the future success and efficiency or that
army. ,,,.,,.-., L.. -,
deferred promotion. and Was assigned 10 tho
command Of IOngstrocts old brigade. com
posed of the first seventh. Eleventh aud Sew
enteenth virginia regiments tnen Al orange
Courthouse OBJ the march 10 the ienIhsuIa.
During the manwuYers around 1OTktohh ana
on the retreat 70 che ChlckahOmlny General
nm was distinguished for his energy and actiy-
nv. and for tho skill with which no handed his
AZ the battle Of Williamsburg. tough, on tho
Nh Of NAV fs6l AGAINST MS old schoolmaie and
friend General Mcclellan. ms GOODNESS, conr-
age aud skill won the Admiration OF the army
and the applause of the whole country ana
marked him for speedy promouon.
In May. 1902 he was promoted 10 the rsha VI
major General and given command OF the u'i-
sIOn conn osei OF Ponder and Branches NORM
f.roffna ArcherS Tennessee, Gregg r HoHtn