Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1879-11-21
a SCRAP OF HISTORY.
The Battle or hancellorsyille-.-Las
Meeting Between Generals Lee and

Richmond, Va, special 10 Siope'Democrhl'
The Virginia division Of the Associa-
ton of the Army Of Northern Virginia
had its annual banquet here TO day,
General J. A. Early presiding, on which
occasion Gen. Flzhugh Lee nephew
of Gen. r E. Lee, delivered the annual
address, his subject being "Chancellors-
VILE" The address is very lengthy.
What makes IL important is the fact
mat the speaker gave the first, and un
iii now, only published account OF the
last interview between Lee and jackson
nefore the latter was killed. After re-
viewing the battle, and claiming that
Hooker had 13376S available men,
while the confederates had only 53. BOB,
he gave an account OF the last meeting
between Lee and Jackson. The only
person now living who herad the con-
versation between the two confederate
leaders is Colonel Marshall, Of Balti-
more, and he told il to General Fitz
Hugh Lee, who combat5 entirely the
position taken by northern and south
ern military writers upon the subject.
General Lee said: "Ah, what an earn
est talk Lee and jackson had on lh"
night of May !. AT sunset they took
seats on II log on the n vi side OF the
plank road, and little distance in the
woods. Colonel Marshall, the well
known aide-de. camp Of General Lee, was
the only other person present, having
been ordered to come to the spot for
the purpose Of writing q letter TO Mr..
Davis, to be dictated by General Lee.
Marshall sat on the end Of fallen tree,
within three feet of the two generals,
and heard every word that passed be-
tween them, and this is what he tells
me Lee and Jackson talked about on
that eventfu night. jackson spoke to
General Ice about what he had seen
and heard during the advance; com
mented on the promptnoss with which
the enemy had appeared to abandon
his movement toward Fredericksburg
when opposed, and the ease with which
he had been driven back TO Chancel-
lorsyIle, and concluded by expressing
the opinion very decidedly, and repeat
ing ii more than once, that the enemy
would recross the Rappahannock before
morning.
"He said in substance, 'by to-mor-
row morning there will not be any OF
them this side tho river General Lee
expressed the hope that General jack
sons expectations might be realized,
but said he did not look Tor such II re.
suit; that he did not believe the enemy
would abandon his attempt no easily,
and expressed his conviction that the
main body Of General Hooker's army
VIVA in his front, and that the real movo
was to DO made from this direction, and
not from fredericksburg. On this
point there was u great difference Of
opinion among our higher officers, and
General Lee was tho only one who
seemed to have the absolute conviction
that the real movement of the federal
army was the one he was then meeting.
In this belief he never wavered from
the first. After telling General jack
son that he hoped his opinion might he
proven to be correct, General Lee add
cd, But, General, we must get ready TO
attack the enemy If we should find him
here tomorrow, md you must make all
arrangements To move around his right
flank General Lee then took up the
map and pointed out to jackson the
general direction of his route by the
Furnace and Brook roads.
"SOme conversation took place M To
tho importance Of endeavoring to CON
oeal the movement from the enemy, |
and M to the existence Of roads further
to the enemy's right, by which Jackson
might pass 80 as not to be exposed TO
observation or attack. The general line I
Of Jaokson's route was pointed out, and
the necessity of CELEBRITY and secrecy |
was enjoined upon him. The CONVEX
sation was lengthy one, md Mt the
conclusion Of it General Lee said to
jackson that before he moved IN .he
morning, if he should have any doubt
as to whether the enemy was still in po-
siton, he could send u couple Of guns
to n spot close by and open fire on the
enemy's position, which would speedily |
settle the question. From the spot re.
ferred to two of our guns had To be
withdrawn that afternoon, m tho in
fantry were suffering from the fire they |
were drawing from the enemy. General
Jackson then withdrew and General
Lee dictated to Colonel Marshall u long |
letter to President Davis, giving him
fully the situation. In IL he regretted |
HV Wuulu lDL lhiNt Vic WSHlaiitilUt W |
Pickett's and Hoods division, but ex.
pressed his confidence in the good judy. |
ment that had Withdrawn and kept
them from him, and closed with the
hope that, notwithstanding all our dan
gers and disadvantages, Providence
would bless tho Efforts which no was
sure his brave army would make to de-
serve success. All this is given i'll de-
tail, to show the errors writers upon
Charlottesville have fallen into in re-
spect to the origin of Jaokson's famous
flank movement. In n little pine
thieket, close Ivy the conference, Gene
raj lee aud staff bivouacked that night,
During the evening reports reached him
nom Early that MI was quiet along the
Rappahannock. Wilcox was ordered
back to Banks Ford in consequence of
other rumor. Lees orders had been
issued; his plans digcsted; his trusty
lieutenants were to carry them out;
the chieftain slept. Hooker ut Char
cellorsvlle, one and half miles away,