D.H. Hill Order

The Major William L.A. Ellis Collection

Order from Maj. Gen. D. H. Hill, May 8, 1863

Goldsboro, N.C May 8^th, 1863

Cols Griffin & Claiborne

Lt General Longstreet directs that you impress all pleasure horses and forward them to him at Petersburg. He wishes to mount a division of infantry. Send out your details for the next four days with instructions to work diligently.

Respectfully

(signed) D. H. Hill

Maj General

Capt WLA Ellis will immediately adopt measures to carry out the provision of this order in the vicinity of his station.

By order of

Col Joel R. Griffin

BB Bower

Adjutant

We believe this is an authentic order issued by Maj. Gen. D.H. Hill, although not written in his hand. The order was likely transcribed, probably from a telegram, by either BB Bower (62^nd Georgia Regiment's adjutant) or by Ellis himself to ensure he had a written copy of the order while confiscating horses to fulfill the order. The order is addressed to Col's Griffin (Joel R. Griffin, commander of the 62^nd Georgia) and Claiborne (most likely Col. W. C. Claiborne, commander of the Seventh Confederate Cavalry).

One interesting historical aspect of this order is that it was written just a few days after the battle of Chancellorsville, and only two days before the death of Gen. Thomas J. (Stonewall) Jackson who was incidentally, D.H. Hill's brother-in-law. It comes during the time Longstreet was being pressed to join Lee in Chancellorsville, but Longstreet was holding back, trying to ensure Richmond and the surrounding area was secured (which this order in part addresses). It is also a time where Lee is showing some frustration with D.H. Hill because he believed Hill is being overly cautious in securing points south of the James River, and not sending him enough or appropriately qualified troops for his engagements with Union forces to the north.

Below are orders and other communications we believe are the genesis of Hill's order to Griffin & Claiborne and ultimately to Capt. Ellis. The first order on May 6^th, 1863, is from Lt. Gen. James Longstreet to Maj. Gen. D.H. Hill, where Longstreet orders Hill to gather horses so he may mount Hood's infantry division to pursue the Union forces in Columbia, S.C. Note that Hill uses similar terms and phrases to Longstreet when he issues the order to the regiments.^[1]

The second communication listed below is from Brigadier-General B.H. Robertson on May 7^th, 1863, requesting that he "should very much like to send the dismounted men of Claiborne's regiment to procure horses". As a postscript, Robertson indicates that Griffin is in Greenville. This communication appears to plant the idea with Hill to utilize Griffin and Claiborne to carry out Longstreet's order of May 6^th.^[2]

In a subsequent order on May 14th, Longstreet tells Hill that the "impressment of horses" is no longer necessary.^[3] And on June 2nd, 1863 Brig-Gen. J.G. Martin writes Hill: "The horses taken by Griffin and Claiborne were ordered to be returned some days since."^[4]

The whole series of orders and communications demonstrate in an interesting way, how orders would originate with senior military personnel, then be issued to commanders in the field, eliminating important strategic information. With this order, only information about Longstreet's desire to obtain horses to mount an infantry division was conveyed to the regimental commanders. Information about General Hood and his division's mission to pursue Union forces in Columbia, S.C., was dropped from the order issued to Griffin and Claiborne. Apparently the Regiments involved accomplished their mission as Longstreet rescinded the order eight days later and Martin reported that the horses were eventually returned.

O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XVIII [S# 26]

CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, AND RETURNS RELATING SPECIALLY TO OPERATIONS IN NORTH CAROLINA AND SOUTHEASTERN VIRGINIA FROM AUGUST 20, 1862, TO JUNE 3, 1863.
CONFEDERATE CORRESPONDENCE. ETC.--#13

HEADQUARTERS,
Richmond, Va., May 6, 1863.

Maj. Gen. D. H. HILL:

GENERAL: Your letter of the 5th was received but a few moments ago.

We have reports from scouts and persons from Maryland that Hunter's and Foster's armies are to come to Virginia.

The repulse of Hooker's force does not yet appear to be entirely decided. He has been driven back at all points, but holds still a position on this side the Rappahannock, near the United States Ford.

Your views regarding our policy I think sound, particularly as I urged the same course as yourself, and it must have been at the same time. Burnside's failure on account of mud was quite evidence enough to me that we had abundance of time to operate wherever we chose.

I shall endeavor to have forces sent you from South Carolina, and shall in all probability call for your forces as the enemy moves north. Watch his movements carefully and keep us advised.

The enemy's cavalry is still at Columbia, Va., and may try to effect his escape by uniting with Foster. Have all routes that he would most likely take blocked well (for as great a distance as time will admit of) with felled trees. This the citizens must do, as their only means of saving their horses and slaves. They can delay the enemy until we may have time to overtake him and destroy him. I am trying to get a mount for Hood's division to send in pursuit. I wish that you would impress every horse that you may be able to find not in necessary use on farms. This is no time to have horses for pleasure; all such must be put into service. If you do not need them send them here.

I remain, general, yours, most respectfully,

JAMES LONGSTREET,

Lieutenant-General, Commanding.

________________________

HEADQUARTERS,
Tarborough, N.C., May 7, 1863.

Maj. Gen. D. H. HILL,
Comdg.. Dept. of North Carolina, Goldsborough, N.C.:

GENERAL: Upon my arrival here last night I found that Colonel Evans had gone toward Greenville instead of Rocky Mount, as we supposed. I immediately recalled him. Claiborne's regiment has, strange to say, not yet arrived. As soon as possible I shall relieve the companies of the Sixty-third (Evans) below Kinston, and also the couriers between Goldsborough and Greenville and between Snow Hill and Kinston, as all the men belong to Ferebee's command. Please inform me by Captain Worthington (who will deliver this) how many men those lines will require under existing circumstances. There are a great many more at present than are needed on that duty since the withdrawal of the troops from Hookerton and Greenville. While on the railroad I should very much like to send the dismounted men of Claiborne's regiment to procure horses, and if this request meets your approbation instruct Captain Worthington to telegraph me at once before the men leave here. You can readily perceive, general, the necessity for the step proposed, which I hope you will approve. Colonel Claiborne is absent from his regiment, I understand. Was the authority granted from your headquarters?

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

B. H. ROBERTSON,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

Where had Claiborne's regiment better encamp? About Greenville forage is scarce and Griffin is there.

Footnotes:
^1. http://ehistory.osu.edu/uscw/library/or/026/1047.cfm - May 6 Longstreet Order to Hill
^2. http://ehistory.osu.edu/uscw/library/or/026/1051.cfm - May 7 Robertson to Hill
3. http://ehistory.osu.edu/uscw/library/or/026/1061.cfm - May 14 Longstreet to Hill
4. http://ehistory.osu.edu/uscw/library/or/026/1089.cfm - June 2 Martin to Hill