The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1869-03-31
WHEN IT VIII APPEAR.

WHEN II VIII APPEAR.
The forthcoming number Of tho ITistori.
col Magazine will contain a document of
marked interest to all who concern them
selves with the history Of the late war.
This document is Gen. Lees full official
report of the "Invasion of Pennsylvania
and the Battle of Gettssburg" 1t has
never before been published, and is CON-
municatcd from the original manuscript in
the possession of AIR. VIM Swinton.
HISTORY OF TIE REPORT.
1t was the habit Of Lee to publish brief
preliminary accounts of his military oper-
atoms as speedily as possible after their
occurrence; and subsequently, at his leis-
ure to prepare full official reports. Such a
brief preliminary account ofthe great Penn
sylvana campaign Of 1863 was made pub
tic on the return Of the Confederate army
to Virginia, after that campaign. Lee,
however, never found opportunity to write
his complete and final report till the win
ter of lS64-5, when he lay within the line
of Petersburgh, beseiged by Grant. Dur
ing the retreat from Petersburg and Rich
mond in April, 1865, all the papers be-
longing to the Confederate commander
were burnt in one Of the heafquarter wa
CONS, which was fired by the person in
charge under the anticipation that it would
fall into the hands of the Union forces. 1t
happened, however, that the manuscript re-
mort os the invasion of Pennsylvania and
the battle of Gettysburg twas on the per-
son of one of Lees staff officers. Thus pre-
served, it now sees the light for the first
time.
THE OBJECT OF THE CAMPAIGN.
The report is very elaborate and much
too lengthy for any other than brief di-
gest here. 1t begins with an account of
the maneuvers put in practice by Lee with
the view of drawing the Union army under
Hooker from its defensive position along
the line of the Rappahannock and then pro-
ceeds to sketch the subsequent operations
of the Confederate army up to the time of
crossing the Potomac. The general OBJ
iect of the campaign is thus stated:
Upon the retreat of the L edcral army
commanded by Major General Hooker
from Charlottesville, it occupied the
ground north of the Rappahannoek oppo-
site Fredericksburg, where it could not be
attacked except at a disadvantage.
1t was determined to draw it from this
position, and, if practicable, transfer the
rcene of hostilites beyond the Potomac.
The execution of this purpose also en-
braced the expulsion OF the force under
Gen. hIiroy, which had infested the lower
Shenandoah Valiy during the proceeding
winter and spring. lfunahlc to attain the
yauable result which might be expected to
foIIow,.a decided advantage gained over
the enemy in Maryland or Pennsylvania
it was hoped that we should at least so fur
disturb his plans for the summer campaign
as to prevent its execution during the sea-
son oil active operations.
It appears that the initial movements of
the campaign were begun as early as the
FIRST week in June, 1868 at which time the
commands of Lorgstrcet and Ewcll were
secretly transferred to CuIpepper court
house.
HOOKER sUsPIcIoUs-EwELI.s STRIKES y BLOW.
After while Hooker became suspic-
ious that something had taken place, aud
accordingly he threw a reconoitering
party across the Rappahannock below
Fredericksburg; but says Lee, Hills
corps was left to watch these troops. with
Instructions to follow the movements of
the [Confederate army as soon rs they
rptire." Under this mask, Ewell shot rap
idly across into the Shenandoah Valley,
and marching quickly northward over
whemed Milroy Mt Winchester, and open
ed the gateway to the passage Of the Po
tomac The result of these preliminary
operations in the Valley is thus summed
upby Lee:
Those operations resulted in the ezpul-
sion of the enemy from the Valley, the
capture of four thousand prisoners, with q
corresponding number Of small arms, twen-
tyeight pieces of superior artillery, inclu-
ding those taken by Gen Rhodes and Gen.
Hays, about three hundred wagons, and as
many horses, together with a considera-
Bile quantity of ordinance, commissary and
quarter-master's stores. Our entire loss
was forty-seven killed, two hundred and
nineteen wounded, and six missing"
hill, LoSGsraEEr, EwELL AND STUART MOVE.
At the same time that Ewel was opera
ting in the Valley, another role was assign
ed Longstreet. In order to mislead
Hooker as to our Intentions" says Lee,
"Lonastreet left Culpepper Court house on
the 18th of June, and advancing along the
eastern side of the Blue Ridge occupied
Ashley's and Smokers Gaps" The ef-
feet of this manure vas to attract Hook
er's attention toward the Blue Ridge and
leave him in grave douat as to whether his
enemy designed crossing the Potomac into
Maryland, or falling upon the rear of the
Union army in case it should cross.
While Hooker was thus kept in suspense
the van of Lees army, under Ewell, passed
the Potomac, and traversing Maryland,
reached Chambersburg. The situation of
the Union army is thus depicted by Lee.
The Federal army was apparently guar
ding the approaches to Washington, and
manifested no disposition to assume the
offensive. In the meantime the progress
of EwelI, who was already in Maryland
with Jenkins cavalry advanced into Penn
sylvania as far as Chambersburg, rendered
it necessary that the rest of the army
should be in supporting distance; and, Hill
having reached the Valley, Longstreet was
withdrawn to the west side of the Shenan-
doah, and the two corps encamped near
Berryville.
Gen. Stuart was directed to hold the
mountain passes with part of his command
as long as tho enemy remained south of the
Potomac. and, with the remainder, to cross
into Maryland and place himself on the
right of Gen. Ewell. Upon the suggestion
of the former officer, that he could damage