The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-03-01

Rearing I'm mind that the cavalry raid
had been authorized, that two routes east
OF the Blue Ridge had been named Tor
the ride-one by crossing the Potomac
east OF the Union Army, the other De
tween that Army and the Blue Ridge; the
point Of crossing TO be decided upon wheh
the First Corps was quitting the Blue
Ridge--it will not be difficult TO see that
passage OF the Potomac by our rear at
the present moment. will in measure
dissolve our plans" could only refer 10 IL
ride across our rear, then on ltS Nest"" a."
march, to find the crossing at the Ioi"1
of Rocks. That you had better not
leave us therefore"-was repetition Oh
my first request TO ride on my right ana
cross at Shepherdstown. Unless you can
take the proposed route I'm rear OF the
enem the route named In General
Lees letter Of 4. i. NJ. and inclosed with
mine OF T. i. NJ. Tha, General Lees let
ter and my letter of sienH INITIAL referred
10 future plans. and that my letter re-
ferred 10 three routes for the ride, goes
without mention. and were as clearly
understood by the cavalry commander as
they were by the writer: ard could nave
been rs clear to the General had he been
present
SUBJECT TO CHANGES.
Official accounts OF battles and cam
paigns are made any time from one week
10 many after the events. and subject
80 changes according 20 the rank OF the
officer. General Lee made two, as report
ed in the War Records. one dated july
81 90 the other January. 1s5i IN the
former referring 10 his cavalry opera
tons. he said: General Stuart was leit
10 guard the passes OF the mountains ana
observe the movements of the enemy.
whom he was instructed to harass and
should
attempt to cross the Potomac. In that
event General Stuart was directed TO
move into Maryland. crossing the Poto-
mac east or west Of the Blue Ridge, as
I'm his judgement should be best. and take
position on the right of our column as 1t
advanced"
In the January account he reported:
General Stuart was directed 10 hold the
mountain passes with part OF MS COM
mand as long as the enemy remained
south of the Potomac. and with the re-
maindor to cross into Maryland. and put
himself on the right of General Ewell.
Upon the suggestion Of the former officer,
that he could damage the enemy and de-
Law his passage Of the river by getting
I'm his rear. he was authorized 10 DO so.
and IL was let 10 his discretion whether
10 enter Maryland east or west Of the
Blue Ridge" but he was instructed 10 lose
no time in placing his command on the
right Of our column as soon as he should
perceive the enemy moving northward.
But our report Of General Stuart IS
found i'm the War Record. and is dated
August 90 1863 OF the raid he reported:
Il submitted to the commanding-gen-
oraI the plan OF leaving a brigade or so
in my present front. and passing through
HONEYWELL or some other gap I'm the Bun
Run mountains. attack the enemy's rear.
passing between his main body and WASH
ington. and cross into Maryland. Joining
our army north of the Potomac. the
commanding-general wrote me. author
izing the move. IL l deemed it practicable
and also what instruction should be given
the officer i'm command Of the two bri-
gades left I'm front OF the enemy
ONLY one report from headquarters OF
the First Corps was made. dated july q
1862. II does not refer 10 the cavalry raid
for the season that no attention was
given the suggestions or requests that
were made, while the matter was pend
ing.
"A LABOR OF THE MOUNTAlN.
After all. this studied effort TO give 10
scandal the semblance of truth, enos "a
such adventures must always end III Il
labor of the mountain. II Colonel Mospy'
after ouoting General Lees letter OF the
j
War Records he could have found General
Lees letter to General Stuart of .. T. NJ
of the 22d. page 923. viz: of General
Hooker's army remains in action you can
leave two hrigades 10 watch him ana
Withdraw with the three others, hut
should he not appear to be moving north
ward. / think you had better withdraw
this side Of the mountain. tomorrow
night. cross at Shepherdstown next day
and move over to Fredericktown."
A night and day had passed since my
letter inclosing General Lees OF the "a
TO General Stuart had been written and
received-no dispatches or suggestions
other than General Lees had passed 10
the cavalry chief during the intervening
ime-so there is no excuse for cabal on
/ the question of instructions, or authority.
/ or responsibility for the cavalry raid.
( General Lees last order was III General
| HOokers army should not appear TO he
moving northward, l think you had bet
! ter withdraw this side of the mountain
| tomorrow night. cross AT ShepherdstoWn
next day. and move over 10 Frederick
! TOWN" General HOOkcr's army was not
moving northward al the time and Cen
! oral Lees idea was TO hasten that move
by putting his cavalry at Fredcricktown
! I'm alarming attitude towards baltimore
! and Washington. The solid columns OF
! the Confederate Army were losing time
/ waiting The encmy's move. and there was
no other way 10 spur him up than 10y put
| ting the cavalry 20 its legitimate service
on his left front. but in the face Of inn
structions the chief drew HIS three bri-
gades off. and collected them during the
night Of the oath at Salem Station. west
| Of Bull Run mountains. and prepared for
| the raiding ride around the Union Army
Coloual lfOehv seems under the deiugiOn
that there was no one I'm the war but
| Vircinians. and precious few Of those not
/ of the cavalry or guerilla service.
JAMES LONGSTREET.
Gainesville Ca, Feb. %, 1886.