The morning times., 1896-06-14
over his right arm, his right hand support

|
/ over his right arm his right hand support.
| ing his field glass.
Gen. LOngstrcet came up, dusty and
| weary from the days march He had had
| the opportunity to become the Blucher OF
the Confederate Wellington. He had been
| delayed. and the opportunity was gone.
| Gen Longstrcet ccosted Gen. Lee and gave
| him the salute due a superior officer. when
, the former anxiously inquired:
Gen. Longstreet where is your COM
mand?"
Pointing to the rear, Cen Longstreet
replied:
LONGSTREET CAME TOOLATE.
There is the head of my column about
two miles away, where you see that dust
rising"
was the response.
II hope.'' said Gen. Longstreet, that
am not too late"
Yes" was the Ieply: too late to 20
on this evening. II you had arrived sooner
l should have sent you to the rear OF the
enemy. and we W ould have captured them
this evening"
Gen. Longstreet instantly replied:
Gen. Lee, can have two of my bIigades
up before dark" .
NO, it is too late. Your men are tired,
hungry and footsore. Bring them up TO my
light: let them go into camp and restand eat.
/ hope those people will be there in the
morning"
II was Gen. Lees custom to refer 10
his adversaries us people" aud he en-
ployed that term in this instance He al
luded to his foes of the day. never dream
ing that they would be re-enforced before
the morning. And thus the momentous
event involving the fate OF the Confeieracy,
was determined
Gen. Longstreet salutcd. turned his
horses head to the rear and started To meet
his command and TO give orders for carry
ing out the nstructions- He preceded but
short dista nee, however, when he wheeled
about, returned and again saIutcd his COM
mander:
by the way, gene ral, where is Gen
Stewart" lie inquired.
Raising both arms Gen. Lee exclaimed:
MY goodness, haven't heard from
Stewart since we cfossed the Potomac"
Here was another break In the chain
forged by Gen. Lee prior to starting North.
Gen. Jeb Ste warts special duty was to
distract the attentions Of =the Federals SO
that the raiders might have time to ac-
complish the purpose that called them
beyond tho established lines. His mission
was not successful, as subsequent events
proved.
The Confederates were greeted during
the entire night of that first day with the
noise OF the enemy's con CentratiOn of
troops. and on the morning Of the second
day those people, were many times
multiplied. Re-enforce them as he might,
the odds were against Gen. Lee, and for
the first time this CORE ct account OF the
collOquy that revealed so muci or moment
in the plans, as well as OF the disappoint-
ment of the Confederate chieftain, is given
to the public.
GEN. LEE WAS MISJUDGED.
The subsequent events are matters of
history, authenticated. The story OF Gen.
Hancock's service in wrestling victory from
apparent defeat was graphically told by
Gen. Palmer at the recent unveiling OF he
herO's statue, and Major Anderson indorsed
1t all from a Confederate sta andpoint.
The story of the Confederate retreat has
also been told. Major Anderson narrated
the particulars. The turning OF the tide.
he said. was emphasized when the ordna nee
officer whispered fearfully to his chief
that his ammunition would not last half
an hour. sudden rain had filled the Po-
tomac to overflowiuG. and the supply trains
wore delayed.
When the head of the retreating column.
reached the banks of the stream. in which
the waters had partially subs.yssi, skiffs
were brought into requisitioA yne much
needed ammunition was secus -. and gain
tho invaders turned their faces to the foe.
They went back finally to their position
beyond the Potomac. the object of the raid
but partially accomplished. and never
afterward were the weiHformed of their
number at all sanguine OF success.
Gen. Lee died and made no sign. He
knew he had been fn a large measure mis-
judged, but said nothing. The controversy
has gone on. and at last the maneuver and
part " the inside history of its failure
have formed the text for a considerable
volume. of which Gen. Fitzhugh Lee is the
author.
Major Anderson now resides at Mount
Lake Park, Nd. Although often urged to
tell OF his participation In the Gettysburg
incident, he declined until now. he is a
reputable citizen. whose word goes un-
challenged, and his contribution to the his
torical data will be Of interest to all who
have hitherto debated the question as
well as to those who have read the story
a s others told it.