The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-03-31

compelled them TO move slower Here
are two Generals OF distinction who do
not arrce with Colonel Marshall, hnd
who give reasons why stuart's move
mcnt in rear OF the enemy was not an
error. and the reasons they assign should
have due weight. even though Stuart
himsolf be one OF those who argue.
but this Is not the real question raised
by Colonel Marshall. The important
point is the charge that through a mis-
construction" Of his orders stuart as
regarded the restriction which both
General Lee and General Longstreet had
placed upon the discretion granted 10
him. Let US then carefully examine aii
the sources OF evidence in order mat we
may determine what were General Lee
orders 10 General Stuart as they appeared
10 the mind OF General Stuart tn June,
1863. and not as they may appear 10
other minds after the lapse OF many
years.
GEN. LEE TO GEN. STUART.
Our sources OF information are two let
ters from General Lee TO General stuart
written on the I'D and ga of June, 1868;
one letter from General Lee TO Oenerai
Ewon dated June 22d, 1853. 1890 +. M. :
one letter from General Longsueet 10
General Stuart, dated june "a, 1900 :
\. NJ: one letter from General Long
street to General Lee, dated June ga,
1868. 1890 L. NJ; General Lees Two re-
ports of the battle Of Gettysburg; ana
General Stuarts own report Of MS move
mcnts during the campaign. 1here eA-
isis also evidence that General stuart
held a personal interview with Heheidi
Lee before the movements OF his cavalry
were finally determined. The letters re-
forrod to have been published ID luh
on several occasions. and | VIII here
quote only so much Of them as Deais
directly on the question at issue
on lime 2ist General Stuart had been
forced back by PieasOnton's cavalry sup
ported by infantry, from his picket line
in front OF kectors Cross Roaus 10
Aehhv's Gan. During the night Pieason-
ton retired, and early on the I'd. stuart
resstablished his line near Rector 5
Cross Roads, and informed General
Iongsfreet Of the fact. General Lee
refers 10 this information In acknowl-
odeing in his first letter 20 Stuart, the
receipt of his mote Of 10 mis- morning
10 General Longstreet"
General Lees letter reads as follows
headquarters. June 22d, 1863
"Maior-General J. +. b. stuart COM
handing Cavalry:
General. L have Just received your note
Of 7.45 this morning 10 General Long
street ] Judge the efforts Of the enemy
Yesterday were 10 arrest our progress
and ascertain our Whereabouts. Perhaps
be is satisfied. DO you know where ne Is,
ana what he IS doingY I fear ne VIII
steal a march on as. and get across inc
Potomac before we are aware IL you
find he IS moving Northward, and tnal
two brIgadcs can guard tire Blue kioBe
and take care of your rear, You can
m0se with the other three INTO Mary
land and t9ke position on General tWtii
right. place yourself in communication
with him. guard his flank, keep him IN
formed OF the onomys movements, ana
collect all the supplies YOU can for the
use of the army. ono column Of General
EwtlIs army will probably move towards
the susQuehanna by the Emmittsburg
route. another hy Chambersburs.
Il arm, very respectfully, your obedteht
servant X. =. LIE
AT 1890 =. NJ, on the same day General
Lee writes to General Eweii as follows.
Il also directed General stuart shouia
the enemy have so far retired from MS
front as 10 permit the departure OF
portion Of the cavalry. TO march Win
three hrigadcs across the Potomac, ana
place himself on your right and IN COM
muuication with YOU. Keep you advised
of The movements Of the enemy. anu
assist in collecting supplies for the army
have not heard from him since.
IMPORTANT OBSERVATION.
General Lees letter TO Stuart contains
no intimaton Of any route TO he pursuep
by stuart. but simply directs him 10
move into Maryland. ana place himself
Ia. HH4HA
communication with him. provided the
enemy were moving NOrihward, and pro-
.ided two brigades Of cavalry could take
care of his rear. By necessary implica~
ton Stuart. was ordered 20 remain where
me was so long as the enemy remained
quiet Let as here note, Rcctofs cross
Roads IS about seventeen miles from
Wildwood, where was Long streets head
quarters. and that Wildwood L. about
seven miles from BerryVille, where was
General Leg headquarters. ana that an
answer 90 a dispatch from General stuart
to General Lee. could not have been re-
ccived I'm less than about twelve hours.
General Lees letter Of June I'D 10
Stuart was not sent direct. but was en-
closed ia a letter from Lee 10 LOuEsfreci,
and was forwarded by LOngstreet 10
Stuart al o'clock +. NJ. on the same
day General Longstrecrs letter Is as
follows.
headquarters. Millwood.
June -. 1863. Il. NJ.
"Afajor-Generai ). j.. Is. Stuart. Com
maRding Cavalry:
General. General Lee has cnlosed TO
me this letter for you, TO be forwarded
to YOU. provided YOU can Dee spared from
my front and provided I think that you
can move across the Potomac without
disclosing our plans lie speaks Of your
leaving by H0peweli Gap, and passing by
the rear Of the enemy. II YOU can get
through by that route. I think you viii
Doe less likely TO indicate what our plans
are than II you should cross 10y passing
20 our rear ! forward the letter Of in
structions with these suggestions.
please advise me of the condition of
affairs before you leave. and order Cen
eral Hampton-whom l suppose you will
M