Hill, A. P. (1825–1865), Confederate general.Born in Culpeper County, Virginia, Hill graduated from West Point in 1847, fifteenth in a class of thirty‐eight. While still a cadet he contracted gonorrhea, which caused recurrent prostatitis that afflicted him physically and psychosomatically for life. Hill served in the Mexican War and the Seminole Wars; his 1859 marriage to Kitty Morgan was a happy one that produced four daughters. After Virginia seceded in 1861, Hill resigned; he was appointed Confederate colonel of the 13th Virginia Infantry and fought at First Manassas. Promoted to brigadier general in February 1862, and major general in May 1862, Hill's Light Division became deservedly renowned during the Civil War for its fighting abilities; his energetic leadership distinguished him at the Seven Days' Battle, as well as the Battle of Fredericksburg, and the Battle of Antietam, where his timely arrival saved Robert E. Lee's right flank. In May 1863, he was promoted lieutenant general after “Stonewall” Jackson's death at Chancellorsville, assigned command of the Army of Northern Virginia's new III Corps, and led it from Gettysburg to the Wilderness. After 1863, repeated illnesses and quarrels with superiors marred Hill's temperamental leadership, especially during the 1864–65 Wilderness to Petersburg Campaign. Shortly after returning from sick leave, he was killed on 2 April 1865 at Petersburg by a Union infantryman while attempting to reconnoiter lines and rally his troops.
[See also Civil War: Military and Diplomatic Course.]

Bibliography

William W. Hassler , A. P. Hill: Lee's Forgotten General, 1979.
James I. Robertson, Jr. , General A. P. Hill: The Story of A Confederate Warrior, 1987.

Ervin L. Jordan, Jr.

Hill, Ambrose Powell (1825–65) Confederate commander in the American Civil War. He fought in the Second Battle of Bull Run (1862) and led his troops through the Gettysburg and Wilderness campaigns. He was killed at Petersburg while trying to restore the Confederate defence.