At Edge Hill, Lee had little if any sleep on the night following
the disaster at Five Forks. Hill, who had been ill and on
furlough, came out of his headquarters at Indiana, on the
western edge of town. Longstreet and his staff traveled on the
dirt road to leave more room in the cars for the men. Lee first
learned of the breaking of the line when he was told Union
wagon's were coming down Cox Road. Despite warnings to be
careful, A.P. Hill hurried off with his aid, Sergeant G.W.
Tucker, to rally his troops on Hatcher's Run. Somewhere west of
Mahone's winter quarters on the Whitworth farm, a Yankee
marksman from the Union VI Corps raised his rifle and shot Hill
through the heart. "He is at rest now," said Lee, when he heard
the news, "and we who are left are the ones to suffer." About 10
o'clock in the morning Lee sent his message advising that all
preparation be made for leaving Richmond that night. This was
the message which President Davis received in St. Paul's Church,
Richmond. Although a battery had been