So, we have the Confederates at Boteler's Ford in dire straits, and their commander was nowhere to be found except out riding and looking for someone to tell him what to do or at least help. First, he found Brigadier Gen. Roger A. Pryor, but Pryor was not willing to commit his battered division, then Pendleton went looking for Gen. John Bell Hood. Not finding Hood, William Pendleton was in a state of near panic when he finally found Lee.
While he was on his quest, Pendleton's men meanwhile were struggling to drag their cannons to safety. Fortunately for them, the Union sharpshooters and volunteers who had crossed the river were ordered to pull back to the Maryland side.
Lee knew there wasn't much he could do until morning and Pendleton went to sleep. When Stonewall Jackson became aware of the situation, he ordered the nearest Confederate unit, Major General A,P. Hill's Light Division to Boteler's Ford.
So, we had a full general doing what should have been done by staff work.
Has Anybody Seen My Artillery? --Old Secesh
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