Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-10-12
WITH TIE ClvALRY,
CENTRAL LEES COURSE AFTER
THE RATTLE OF GETTYSBURG.
CARRY NE BACK TO OLD VA.
a Constitutional Right Dircussed-
yonp Time Getting TO Richmond
4 scout-i Close CsII-kert 1t
ouiet-The auckland Races.

Tho following is contributed to the
Confederate Column by DR.. W. B. Con-
pav corporal Company c, Fourth Regi-
ne-t Virginia Cavalry, now living at
Athens. Ga.
The great Napoleon made a blunder at
waterloo after gaining so many brilliant
rtctortes. The human mind is Incapable
# thinking OF the right thing TO do at a
critical moment at all times. We did
NM pest during the war. The whole civil
lzs6 world looked on witt, wonder at
the great achievements Of the Southerners
and still say the nations of the world
rever saw the like before.
1t may be. General Lee made a mistake
"a lighting The battle of Gettysburg, as he
could have slowly fallen back and con-
,ea-rated his army at the base of the
Cumberland mountains, and compelled the
enemy to fight him on his own ground,
ana whipped them as he did at Fred
.rgEstlus, with half OF his army. and
then made for washington and Baltimore.
No man is perfect, all are liable TO mis-
takes General Lee pursued the proper
course. remained silent, accused no one.
And now even the northern people are
calling aim the greatest man of the age,
as q Christian gentleman. and the most
able commander OF the civil war. After
the battle Of Gettysburg, General Lee fell
back across the Potomac river. contesting
every inch of ground along the highways
between the mountains. and at the several
.- ,-rr-z al no n-TC~h
ursucccssful on the last days fight, in
consequence OF the disparity Of numbers
ID favor of the Federals; like lame lion
his noble army fingered on the way. dar
rg The Federals 70 attack. Meade. not
outstanding his advantage in numbers
and resources, backed by the wealth Of
Tho north and great foreign nations. fol-
lowed with his veterans cautiously and
reluctantly. For many days the hills and
fa.leys of MARYLAND and Pennsylvania
'sre made 10 echo and re-echo the songs
ii our southern boys. and the strains of
Maryland. My Maryland" We're heard in
the land.
CARRY ME BACK.
But now the soft, sad notes of Garry
III Back to Old Virginia" were heard
among their decimated ranks as they
wenda1 their way backward among the
foothills OF the beautiful Blue Ridge
mountains Of Virginia. Undismayed and
rs steadfast as the everlasting hills, Cen
oral Lee had taken into Pennsylvania a
splendid army of about 10000 men. and
by The 10th of August his morning report
showed only IS. 600. On the 9Th of Septem-
Ter he sent Longstreet to Tennessee with
nus two divisions to help Bragg. which
lett Lee only $4,000. Longstreet wrote his
farewell TO Lee on behalf of himself and
eorIs: Our affections for you are strong
fr i it is possible for them to be strong
hf tan our admiration for YOU After
lee heard of the battle of Chickama qua,
ne Wrote to Longstreet on the 18th as
follows: My whole heart and soul have
heeA with YOU, and your brave corps In
your late battle" After following Lee
10 the Rappahannocll. on the 18th of Sep
iember, Meade advanced southwark. to
learn what Lee was doing. but after
seeming at a distance, Lees fortifca-
,'oHS along the Rapidan river he quiet
!, withdrew to his camps in Culpeper
- was about that time that my regiment
Vi cavalry crossed over the river al Rae
coon Ford, and in following up Meade's