Trimble, a Baltimorean, was born in 1802 and was one of the oldest men in Lee's army. He graduated from West Point but had left the army in 1832 for a successful career in railroading in the mid-Atlantic region. When war came, he cast his lot with the Confederacy, and he had been an excellent brigade commander under Ewell. Trimble had much military ambition and had once said to Stonewall Jackson that "before this war is over I intend to be a major general or a corpse." He nearly accomplished both goals for he was wounded severely at Groveton, but since it was believed that he would return soon to active service, he was made a major general and appointed to the command of Jackson's old division. Unfortunately, his wound healed slowly, and in the reorganization he lost his division to Edward Johnson. Yet, when he learned that the Army of Northern Virginia was headed into Maryland and Pennsylvania, he thirsted for action, and, though he was without a command, he hurried to Hagerstown to join General Lee.

Lee knew that the old fellow was more familiar with the geography of the campaign area north of the Potomac than just about anyone in his army and discussed it with him. He was even patient enough to listen to Trimble's foolish suggestion that a brigade, 1,500 or so men, be sent to take Baltimore!

Sometime late in the afternoon of July 1st, Ewell received some advice from General Trimble, who was still visiting Ewell's corps. While Ewell's troops took over the town, Trimble rode to the east and saw the terrain there.

"General," he said to Ewell upon his return, "there is an eminence of commanding position (Culp's Hill) and not now occupied, as it ought to be by us or the enemy soon. I advise you to send a brigade to hold it if we are to remain here."

"Are you sure it commands the town?" asked Ewell.

"Certainly it does, as you can see, and it ought to be held by us at once," Trimble asserted.

To this, Ewell was said to have made the "ungracious reply": "When I need advice from a junior officer I generally ask for it."

Trimble's anger at this stage erupted. "Give me a division," he said, "and I will take that hill."

Ewell declined.

"Give me a brigade and I will do it," Trimble continued. When Ewell still declined, the despairing Trimble implored: "Give me a good regiment and I will engage to take that hill."

That too being denied, Trimble threw down his sword and stalked out of Ewell's headquarters in a huff, asserting that he would no longer serve under such an officer.