The climactic and disastrous Pickett’s Charge, the most famous part of the battle at Gettysburg, most often recalls Pickett’s Division as they crossed the undulating, mile-wide field toward the unattainable Union center. What is less known is that there were two additional divisions along with Pickett’s troops who made that fateful charge at Gettysburg. They had fought bravely, too, on the opening day of the battle, losing many in the struggle, while Pickett’s men had arrived late the following day. These two less known divisions fought significantly more than most others involved in the battle, engaged during two of the three days at Gettysburg.
Their leader was the most unusual of Lee’s lieutenants, and he is rarely mentioned at Gettysburg, for good reason. His name was A.P. Hill.
Ambrose Powell Hill, nicknamed “Little Powell” was born in Culpeper, Virginia, on November 9, 1825, the youngest of five children. His father, Major Thomas Powell, was a successful statesman and merchant. His mother, the former Frances Russell Baptist, was ardently religious. Young Powell, named for an uncle and grandfather, turned out a bit more worldly than his mother wished.
Powell received his coveted appointment to West Point at the age of 18, slated to graduate with the class of 1846. The red-headed Powell had a temperament to match, yet he was popular with his classmates and the ladies. While heading home for summer from West Point in 1844, he stopped for a visit to nearby New York City. During his short time there, he visited a brothel, and contracted venereal disease. The youthful indiscretion had a major impact on the young cadet for the rest of his life.2
