A. P. Hill

Confederate (CSA)

Major General

Ambrose Powell Hill

(1825 - 1865)

Home State: Virginia

Education: US Military Academy, West Point, NY, Class of 1847

Command Billet: Commanding Division

Branch of Service: Infantry

Unit: A. P. Hill's Light Division

see his Battle Report

Before Sharpsburg

Graduated USMA 1847, with service in the Mexican and Seminole Wars. He resigned his US commission in March 1861. In May 1861 he was made Colonel of the 13th Virginia Regiment, and in February 1862 appointed Brigadier General He then commanded the 1st Brigade/Longstreet's Division at Williamsburg. In May 1862 he was promoted to Major General, and commanded Hill's Light Division in Longstreet's Command at the battles of the Seven Days, Cedar Mountain, and Second Manassas.

On the Campaign

Commanded A. P. Hill's Light Division in Jackson's Command. He brought his unit up from the capture of Harper's Ferry beginning very early on Sept 17. His advance units and artillery arrived on the Southern portion of the battlefield on the Harpers Ferry Road at about 4pm. At Lee's direction, General Hill immediately launched them at the left flank of the Federal IX Corps then approaching the edge of Sharpsburg, and with other units, drove the Federal force back to the heights above the Lower Bridge to end the Battle. For details about his activities you might also like to see his Official Report about the campaign.

The rest of the War

He commanded Hill's Light Division in the Second (II) Corps at Chancellorsville. In May 1863 he was appointed LGen. and commanded the Third (III) Corps at Gettysburg, Bristoe Station, the Wilderness, North Anna, Cold Harbor, and Petersburg, where he was killed (April 2, 1865) while rallying his troops after their line had been broken. It is said that although a famous fighter early in the war, he did not perform as well after being given Corps command.