Hey everyone, welcome to episode number 317 of our Civil War Podcast.

My name is Rich.

And I'm Tracy.

Hello y'all.

Thanks for tuning into the podcast.

As y'all recall in the last episode, we talked about AP Hills decision to send two-thirds

to his corps on a scout toward Gettysburg on Wednesday, July 1, 1863.

We said that Robert E. Lee's plan was to concentrate or bring his army together in the vicinity

of cash town about eight miles northwest of Gettysburg.

As AP Hill knew, Lee didn't want to confront any portion of the enemy army of the Potomac

before his own forces were united.

And by the night of July 1, eight of the Confederate army's nine infantry divisions would have

been assembled at cash town and Lee would have been ready to engage the Federals.

However, ultimately, Hills decision to advance toward Gettysburg with Heath's and Penders

divisions led to the enravelling of Robert E. Lee's plans.

The army of Northern Virginia would never be assembled at cash town as Lee had intended.

That's why AP Hill decided to advance two-thirds of this corps to Gettysburg on the morning

of July 1, is still something of a mystery, especially since it's clear that Hill was

under no obligation to advance any troops, let alone two divisions, to Gettysburg that

day.

He could have easily relayed pedigrues June 30th report of enemy contact to Lee and

awaited orders from the Confederate army commander.

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