Confederate General (1821-1889) and brother-in-law of Thomas 'Stonewall' Jackson. Civil War-dated ALS signed "Husband," one page, lightly-lined, 7.5 x 9.25, February 12, 1862. Handwritten letter to his wife, written from Leesburgh, Virginia. In full: "Amid all the sad news, I can still see the guiding and protecting care of a kind Father. You thought that my removal from North Carolina was very cruel, but had I remained, I would now be a corpse or a prisoner. Let us praise and adore Him always & under all circumstances. I feel more calm than I have done for a long time. The condition of that Island has preyed very much upon my mind. The militia were called out to fortify it, but the mean, unprincipled Governor ordered them back. A month's work would have saved the Island. The thing is now over, it is with the past, suspense has become reality, & we have only to say, 'Thy will be done.' We can be independent, if we are resolved to be so, otherwise, we deserve our fate. There must be a great change, or ruin is inevitable. Whether there is spirit enough for the emergency, I do not know. After all, what is the use of being concerned about this brief life, when eternity is before us. Trust in God, rely upon the saviour & do our duty. Then all will be well. Many dark hours are before us, but we can make them bright. Excuse a brief note. Love & Kisses to the dear ones at home." In fine condition, with trivial loss to the upper left corner tip.
Hill lived in North Carolina with his wife, Isabella Morrison. The "Island" he refers to in the letter is Roanoke Island, which had been lost a few days before to Union troops. In October, Hill had been assigned command of coastal defenses in North Carolina. He ordered his soldiers to put up earthworks across the center of the island, but was called to Virginia before the work could be completed. With the Confederate forces inadequately equipped and the Island poorly defended, the Battle of Roanoke Island ended in a Union victory. Hill describes Zebulon Vance as the "mean, unprincipled Governor." An outstanding letter revealing Hill's doubts about the war's outcome.
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