Maj. Gen. Henry Heth

[jkBluesman]

Maj. Gen. Henry Heth (b. 1825, d. 1899). Heth was one of the few generals whom Gen. Robert E. Lee called by first name but his actions as commander seldom justified this honour. The Virginian had graduated from West Point in 1847 at the bottom of his class and served briefly in the Mexican War. Serving on the western frontier afterwards, he got a high reputation as Indian fighter. In 1858, he wrote the first marksmanship manual for the Army. When his native state seceded in 1861, Heth resigned his commission as captain and reported to Richmond, where he helped to establish the quartermaster’s department. Here, he came into close contact with Lee. Heth saw his first combat of the war in western Virginia as colonel of a regiment operating in the Kanawha Valley. Promoted to brigadier general in January 1862, he fought in the small engagements at Giles Court House and Lewisburg before being sent to East Tennessee. Serving under Gen. Kerby Smith, he let a division in the Kentucky campaign, which he brought to the outskirts of Cincinnati. In the spring of 1863, Lee requested his service in Virginia, assigning him a brigade in the division of Gen. A.P. Hill, whom Heth knew well from West Point. The Battle of Chancellorsville was the first combat for Heth in the Army of Northern Virginia and there he showed for the first time his problems of coordinating movements when he attacked without securing support. He was briefly in command of the division when Hill was wounded on the first day, but taken out of action on the second day himself. Heth recovered in time to participate in the Pennsylvania campaign as division commander in Hill’s newly created III corps. The assignment brought the promotion to major general also (May 1863). When on June 30, 1863 one of Heth’s brigades scouted Federal troops at Gettysburg, he decided to send a reconnaissance force the next day. In the absence of cavalry he assigned two full brigades to the task, which encountered enemy cavalry under Gen. John Buford and were repulsed. Instead of withdrawing, Heth deployed for battle and called for reinforcements. Thus he started the Battle of Gettysburg at a time when Lee had wanted to avoid a general engagement. Heth was almost killed by a bullet that struck him in the head during one of his ill-coordinated attacks against Seminary Ridge and missed the rest of the battle though his division fought participated partly in Pickett’s Charge on the last day. During the retreat to Virginia, Heth was back in command. At Falling Waters he mistook Federal cavalry for Confederates and was almost captured. During the crossing of the Potomac he lost 500 men, who were taken prisoner. In fall, his division suffered high casualties during a headlong attack at Bristoe Station against well-entrenched Union brigades. Heth directed his troops better in the Wilderness the following year and especially at Spotsylvania Court House and Cold Harbor. During the siege of Petersburg, his division protected the right flank and the railroads that connected the army with the rest of the shrinking Confederacy. At Ream’s Station his division stormed the enemy breastworks – Heth acting as co-colour-bearer – and took 2000 prisoners. For his distinguished service Lee entrusted the III corps to Heth, when Hill fell sick during the winter of 1864/1865. But the victory at Ream’s Station had been the last for Heth. He retreated with the army when its lines were broken in April and surrendered with Lee at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865. After the war he worked in the insurance business in Richmond, where he was buried after his death in Hollywood cemetery.

Ldr: 5
Tact: 5
Init: 3
Cmd: 3
Cav: 0

Teaches: Shooters, Chargers, if a third: Diggers or Bulldogs

It is within the limit this time. Regarding the ratings, I think they pretty much match his record. I only suggest to raise the initiative by one as Heth used often opportunities to attack or counterattack.

[Gil R.]

Got it -- thanks.