Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-06-07
ME- INTERESTING
A Record That Mas Made from
Memory.
EXTRACTS FROM a WAR DIARY.
The Battle of Treviliian's station
Desperate and Gallant Fighting
Toward 10 lie Sacrihced-ih rill-
ing and Exciting Personal Expe-
ricnces. It,


To the Editor OF the Dispatch:
In the columns OF the Times. OF Rich
mond. Va, are liberal contributions upon
the service Of the Confederate cavalry
by Colonel John S. Mosby and others
during the Gettysburg campaign Of 1862
in their efforts to illustrate the events
of that service they seem TO depend
upon colaterals OF the Advocate more
than the evidence they claim as coming
from the records Of the War Depart
ment.
Their first Offering Of evidence is a letter
Of General Lee's-viZ.:
headquarters, June p, 1868.
rMajor-Generl J. L. b. Stuart, Com
handing Cavalry:
"General,-I have just received your
note OF. 7:45 this morning to General Long
street. judge the efforts Of the enemy
yesterday were 20 arrest our progress
and ascertain our whereabouts. Perhaps
he Is satisfied. Do you know where he IS,
and what he Is doing? l fear he VIII
steal a march on US, and get across the
Potomac before we are aware. If you
find that he is moving northward ana
that two brigados can guard the Blue
Ridge and take care Of your rear, you
can move with the other three into Mary
land. and take position on General EWehis
right Place yourself in communl-
cation with him. guard his hank'
keep him informed of the enemy's
movements, and collect all the
supplies you can for the use OF the army.
One column of General EwelFs army VIII
probably move toward the Susquehanna
by the Emmitsburg route; another by
Chambersburg. Accounts from him last
night state that there was no enemy
west OF Frederick. A cavalry force
(about 100, guarded the Monocacy bridge,
which was barricaded. You WILL OF
course take charge Of CA O. Jenkins's
Brigade, and gave him necessary instruc-
tions. All supplies taken In Maryland
must be by authorized staff officers for
their respective departments-by no one
else They will be paid for, or receipts
for the same given to the owners. l Will
send you general order on this subject,
which l wish you 20 see is strictly COM
piled with.
Il am, very respectfully. your obedient
servant r. r. LEE, General"
The letter is the return TO General
Stuart after receiving his account OF
the Confcderates were forced back into the
Blue Ridge mountains at Ashby's gap, in
disorder, and until McLaw's Division
came to his relief, and saved the gap.
This Is claimed as proof that General
Lee ordered the cavalry raid that follow
ed soon thereafter; that II was trans
mitted through my headquarters: that
the cavalry was under my orders; that
in transmitting General Lees instruc-
tions ! gave orders for the raid. and with
General Lee was responsible for IT,: al
10 relieve the cavalry chief of response
blity for his ride.
When relieved Of Its trouble in the Gap
by the infantry. the cavalry retired. rest
ed for the night west OF the Blue Ridge,
and General Stuart forwarded his report
of the fight of the day before from his
Headquarters behind the Blue Ridge,
about nine miles from General Lees. at
.herryville. The ride between them was
through my headquarters at WILDWOOD.
From his biyouac General Stuart sent his
report OF 7:45, referred TO in General Lees
letter. 1t is more than probable that the
report reached general headquarters be-
fore II o'clock OF tho forenoon. General
Lees letter in return indicates that he
was not quite satisfied with the conduct
of the cavalry; that he was still under
the influence Of that displeasure when his
letter was written, and those indications.
with the urgency Of the times. seem TO
warrant the inference that the letter was
a prompt return for Stuart's report, writ
ten, therefore, before noon OF the same
day and sent direct TO the cavalry chief.
Generals Lees letter of the afternoon
shows that he had sent his instructions
20 General Stuart before the hour OF this
writing. as well as other points OF in
terest-vz.:
headquarters.
June %. lS63-3:S0 T.. M.
Northumberland Il. 5. Ewell, Com
handing. SC:
"General.-I have just received your let
ter Of this morning from opposite Shep-
herdstown. Mine Of to-day, authorizing
you to move toward the SusQuehanna, 1
hope has reached you ere this. After dis
patching my letter. learning that the enc
my had not renewed his attempts of yes
terday to break through the Blue Ridge
j directed General Il. H. Anderson's al
vision 10 commence its march toward
Shepherdstown. IL will reach there 10.
morrow. / also directed General Stuart
should the enemy have so far retired from
his front Is 10 permit Of the departure or
portion OF the cavalry, to march with
three brlgades across the Potomac. and
place himself on your right and In COM
munication with you. keep you advised
or tho movements OF the enemy. and as
sist In collecting supplies for the army.
have not heard from him since. l also al
rectec lmboden. IL opportunity offered. 10
cross the Potomac and perform the same
offices on your left ] shall endeavor 10
get General Earlys Regiments % IL, a,