A.P. Hill Escapes Capture

On the morning of May 6, General A.P. Hill stretched his battle lines across the Chewning farm, closing a dangerous gap in the Confederate line. Before Hill's troops arrived, a Union regiment broke into the clearing from the east, startling the general and his staff. Hill calmly directed his men, "Mount, walk your horses, and don't look back." They did, avoiding capture. As soon as his men were out of danger, Hill sent for a brigade and retook the clearing.<br><br>Later that day General Lee conferred with Hill on the front porch of the Chewning house, located directly in front of you. As the two generals spoke, staff officers peered through a hole cut in the roof and spotted large numbers of Union guns heading south, toward Spotsylvania Court House. After two days of fighting in the Wilderness, Grant was moving on. Lee would follow.