"Little Powell," as he was sometimes called, was Robert E. Lee's most trusted lieutenant, best known for leading his Light Division in headlong charges but just as effective when making stubborn defensive stands. 

Though usually reserved and courteous, he also was notoriously short-tempered. An argument with Longstreet almost led to a duel, while a dispute with Jackson put Hill under arrest as his division entered Maryland in 1862. Still, he fought hard and well at Sharpsburg (1862) and Chancellorsville (1863), and after Jackson's death he took over the army's new Third Corps.

Exactly a week before Lee's surrender at Appomattox, he was killed outside Petersburg.