Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 20.djvu/386

 380 Southern Historical Society Papers.

applause of the whole country, and marked him for speedy promo- tion. In May, 1862, he was promoted to the rank of major-general and given command of the division composed of Fender's and Branch's North Carolina, Archer's Tennessee, Gregg's South Caro- lina, Field's Virginia, and Thomas' Georgia brigades.

In the army then defending Richmond, Hill's division composed the extreme left, stationed along the left bank of the Chickahominy, opposite Mechanicsville, and was not engaged in the battles of Seven Pines and Savage Station. During the thirty days which elapsed between the promotion of General Hiil and the beginning of the Seven-Days' battles around Richmond, he spent his time and gave his best energies to the improvement and discipline of his new com- mand, and with what success he labored, and to what state of effi- ciency he brought it, let its records speak.

A RECORD OF DAZZLING ACHIEVEMENTS.

The record of the "Light division" of the Army of North- ern Virginia, with its brilliant achievements, would fill a volume. Active, vigilant, ever ready, never taken by surprise; swift, dash- ing, yet steady and unflinching under the most trying circum- stances; always in the fight, and ever adding fresh laurels to its crown of victory, and wreathing new chaplets of glory for its commander. Mechanicsville, Cold Harbor, Frazer's Farm, Slaughter's Moun- tain, Second Manassas, Ox Hill, Harper's Ferry, Sharpsburg, Botel- ler's Ford, Castleman's Ferry, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, besides many combats and skirmishes of less note all fought in the short space of eleven months make a record of dazzling achieve- ments which cannot be surpassed in the annals of warfare.

Time will not permit us to dwell upon these events ; but at Mechanicsville and Beaver Dam creek, on the 26th of June, Hill's division began the series of battles known as the Seven Days Around Richmond, and bore the brunt of those bloody affairs. The division fought against heavy odds, strongly posted, and achieved success, but with heavy loss. At Cold Harbor, on the 27th, Hill's division was again hurled against the fortifications of the enemy behind Powhite creek, and for two hours sustained the unequal conflict, being again and again repulsed, and as often renewing the attack, dashing in vain against the impregnable position, until on the far left is heard the roar of musketry and the ringing cheer which announces that the Hero of the Valley and his foot-cavalry have gotten into