(1825 - 1899) Henry (called "Harry") Heth(pronounced Heath) graduated last in his class at West Point. He was a cousin of Geo. Pickett. Even so, he made an excellent officer in the Regular Army during the War with Mexico and later fighting Indians.
Tradition has it that Heth was the one general officer whom Lee called by his first name. "Harry" Heth was a soldier of promise. Davis considered him as a possible appointee to the command in Missouri over Sterling Price, then a popular hero. Heth himself discouraged this. Lee took a personal interest in Heth's advancement and rated him highly. Lee requested Heth's transfer to the Army of Northern Virginia.
Heth was fortright, socially charming and possesed the finest elements of character, which Lee admired. Yet Heth proved unlucky in war.
After Chancellorsville and his appointment as commander of the newly conceived Confederate III Corps, A.P.Hill wrote the following to Lee:
"Of Gen. Heth, I have but to say that I consider him a most excellent officer, and gallant soldier, and had he been with the Division through all its hardships, and acquired the confidence of the men, there is no man I had rather see promoted than he."
Even so, Hill preferred another candidate, Dorsey Pender, to succede him as commander of the Light Division.
Heth's Official Report"Hence, as much as I admire and respect Gen. Heth, I am conscientiously of the opinion that in the opening campaign, my Division under him, will not be half as effective as under Gen. Pender."
