Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-06-07


and mentioned Hopewell Gap as the pre-
ferred route for the raid. which indicates
the discretion claimed By his cavalry
man. but there - no indication that ne
could or should lose sight OF the lnjunc-
tons. repeated as OF first Importance
that the cavalry should be on the right
flank OF his columns marching north
ward. Assuming his wishes and instruc-
lions clear, that the ride around the
Union army would not be made unless
the cavalry commander. In the exercise
OF wise discretion, could see his way TO
reach the position 10 which he was called
at the earliest practicable moment.
Before passing 10 the events OF the next
day, 1t should be noted that In reply TO
General Lees letter-aboye quoted
his communication is mentioned as writ
ten at 4 O'Clock OF the afternoon. Ills
letter 10 General Ewell OF $50 +. NJ.
mentions that he had sent instructions
for his cavalry to find its way TO his
Hwelps) right. The two dispatches, the
only ones OF record connected with the
events as they passed. arc the best evil
dence that can be had that there were
two separate dispatches sent the cavalry
on the 22d. certainly better than the as
sumed sophistry OF the advocates.
Tho enemy forced back from its ad-
vance by McLaw's troops on the morning
of the I'D the Confederate cavalry moved
out and recovered its lost lines, and
Stuart made his headquarters at Rector's
CROSSROADS. The Union army was then
occupying the plains and roads from the
Blue Ridge on its left, through the coun-
ties Of LOudoun, Prince William, and
Fairfax 20 the Potomac ct Alexandria
on its right.
There IS nothing OF record OF the events
Of the sd referring TO the cavalry SER
vice. except a letter written at o'clock
of the afternoon, though General Stuart
states in his official report: II resumed
my own position at Rector'S CROSSROADS,
and being in constant communication with
the commanding general, had scouts
busily engaged watching and reporting
the enemys movements, and reporting
the same to the commanding general"
The letter OF Il. NJ notes the receipt OF
his dispatches Of and 1890 o'clock a. NJ,
but these are not found in the records.
Like many others-"lost." The letter Of
O'Clock p. M.-yiz:
"Edq't'rs Army Of Northern Virginia,
June q, 1855 F. NJ.
"Major-General J. L. b. Stuart, Com
manding Cavalry:
"Genoral,-Your notes of and 80 A.
NJ. to-day have just been received. As
regards the purchase OF tobacco Tor your
men, supposing that Confederate money
will not be taken, am willing for your
comm.ssaries and quartermasters TO pur-
chase this tobacco and let the men get 1t
from them; but / can have nothing seized
by he men.
If General Hookers army remains in
active, you can leave two brigades to
watch him. and withdraw with the three
others, but. should he not appear 10 be
moving northward, / think you had bet
ter withdraw this side of the mountain
tomorrow night. cross at Shepherdstown
next day, and move over to FTedericks-
town.
"You will, however, be able 10 Judge
whether you can pass around their
army without hindrance, doing them all
the damage you can, and cross the river
east OF the mountains. In either case
after crossing the river, you must move
on and feel the right OF Ewelfs troops,
collecting information, provisions, etc.
"Give instructions to the commander
of the brigades left behind to watch the
flank and rear of the army. and lin the
event OF the enemy leaving their 'front.'
retire from the mountains west OF the
Shenandoah, leaving sufficient pickets 10
guard the passes, and bringing every
thing clean along the Valley closing
upon the rear OF the army.
AS regards the movements OF the two
brigades Of the enemy moving toward
Warrenton, the commander OF the bri-
gades TO be left in the mountains must
do what he can to counterfeit them,
but ! think the sooner you cross into
Maryland. after tomorrow, the better.
1.-THE movements Of EwelTs Corps are
az stated I'm my former letter. Hilrs
First Division will reach the Potomac
to-day. and Longstreet will follow to-
morrow.
BE watchful and circumspect in all
your movements.
II am, very respectfully and truly,
yours. ar. j.. LEE. General"
This is the substitute for, and super
sedes, all previous dispatches or instruc-
tons. and becomes the governing and
guiding index, by which to Judge the
service to which the cavalry was properly
called. In the second paragraph is a
clearly-defned and expressed wish that,
should he General Hooker not appear
to be moving northward. 1 think you
had better withdraw this side OF the
mountain tomorrow night. cross at
Shepherdstown next day, and move on
to Frederickstown." BY that ride he
could have reached our right at Frede-
rick on the 18th. As the Union army
was not moving northward at the time,
nor had a thought Of such move, unless
pulled over the river by the operations OF
the Confederate army, the paragraph be-
comes an order direct and not readily
misunderstood. Ii does not say In so
many words that the raiding ride must
be abandoned. but 1t does point to that
contingency, unless you can pass round
their army without hinderance, doing
them all the damage you can. and cross
the river east OF the mountains" Which
means that the ride west and by Shep-
herdstoWn TO Frederickstown must be
preferred. unless this condition OF first
importance can be met as readily by
making the crossing east of the noun
tains
After sending this dispatch. General Lee
marched with his solid columns, and
about noon OF the 9th pitched their camps
In Pennsylvania, the First and Third
corps at Chambersburg, the Second Corps
at Garlic and York. a single brigade OF
cavalry Gonkins'O and a detached regi-
ment, with the Second Corps. Five bril-
gades Of cavalry were stiil in Virginia
three behind the Union army, then cross
ing the Potomac. and two behind the
Blue Ridge. Imboden's resting at Han
cock. Bearing in mind his official dis
patches. it goes with the events that this
eccentric distribution OF cavalry was IN
no wise brought about In the execution OF
orders Of the superior officer. General
Stuart did not claim for II orders. Albeit,
his official account was written at the
time. when the ride was under public
censure. but reported on the contrary.
that 1t was made under permit Of his
chief. granted upon his own application
for It, and he claimed for it eminent SER
vice. the only plea he had to offer. Then.
wherein comes the labored efforts OF the