The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-07-27
Ky the Lnte Colonel william w. Black
ford. Engineer of Stunrt's Cavalry
CORPS md Colonel First Rrgimrnt


OF Engineers &. 5. A.
when General Lee advanced into
Maryland and Pennsylvania tho Dues
ton was TO reach the head Of Lees adj
Vancing columns. now entering Penn
sylvania. II vas Impossible for him
L move along the eastern slope Of the
Blue Ridge. between the mountain and
Meade's forces; all the roads leading
northwhrd through the valley we're
hlled with marching troops ana the
nugc army trains. Two plans were
presented By stuart and submitted to
General Lce-one to 20 through the
valley. the other to sweep around
Meade's army and dash northward be-
tween him and Washington. cutting his
communications. breaking UP railroads.
and join Early In Pennsylvania Stuart
had 5000 cavalry: this force was di-
Vided, leaving 1000 cavalry under Rob
trtson and Jones 10 hold the pnyses
and operate with tho main army. as
General Lee might direct Stuart took
three brigades for tho Northern raid
Hampton. Fitz Lee and Rooney" Lees
1000 men. They crossed the Potomac
Juno 20. and on the q moved via Gains
Vile and RouzcT's Ford captured a
FEDERAL train OF $50 army wagons 1T
Rockville. We rushed rapidly north
ward through Maryland. having orpo-
.!uon until we arrived al Hanover. IA
Here We had. however. met kilpatrick's
cavalry division and had a hot AGAR
with IL We We're iugt opposite Get
tyshurg-ntteen miles away II So
could have made our way TO that place
We would have effected q junction with
Lee the day before the battle but the
wagon train !ntertered with our IN I'VE.
neuts. And II General stuart could
have known Of the accidental concen-
tration which brought about the battle
Of Gettysburg in the next two days
tho junction could have been Effected.
lie expected TO meet Early In York
very coon and held on this route.
stuart found Early had left York. NOV
ms toward gettysburg. He sent Ma
lor Nenable Qately OF Bal;imore) 10
set orders from General Lee also Cap
tain Henry Lee. Stuarts cavalry. push
I'd on Carlisle and found IL occupied By
the enemy July At midnight we
received orders from Lee 20 move on
GETTYSBURG at once; also heard OF the
nrst days battle. We marched from
Carlisle and Joined General Lee at Get
tysburg carly on July 2.
The force OF 5000 cavalry LETT under
Jones and Robertson 10 guard the
mountain passes did not rejoin the
army until after the battle II is
easy 20 blame Stuart now with the
knowledge OF what occurred bu, is
II fair TO blame him for acting with
the knowledge nc had?
Napoleon, believe. once said that
q cog fight might bring on a battle
and General Heath says the battle was
brought on upon that spot by the stores
III the town being we'll stocked with
boots and shoes, and hearing OF Il
marched TO the place TO get them
Meeting Neade's advance, he was re-
enforced. thus bringing on the en-
gagcment. There Is great luck in war
circumstances seem to combine for or
against sometimes that set AT naught
all calculations. and in the battle OF
Gettysburg dozen Things might be
enumerated But | wish t. record one
OF the circumstances that came under
my own observation which can but
think had good deal TO do with It's
loss and now published for the nrst
time.
In the supreme hour OF battle the
commander in chief is the soul Of the
army. that Is. j: he is worthy OF the
army he commands. This being SO.
anything which affects his physical
condition at that time must have a
powerful influence upon events.
We all know the desperately weak
ening power OF severe diarrhoea. and
this General Leo had, | know. When
Stuart arrived on the left flank on the
morning OF the 2d there followed
several cavalry conibats. and during
the evening ! was sent to General
Lee to report what had happened
found General Lee at his headQuar-
ters near the town. but he was in his
tent. and l was told By one OF his staff
that l could not see him. so ! gave
my report to this officer who took it
TO General Lee, and l waited a half
hour. Generally on coming on err
rands to headquarters gave my
report to General Lee in person, but
on this occasion ! supposed he was
too busy to see me. was surprised
TO sec him hurry and go to the rear
several times while 1 was there. and
he walked so much as If he was weak
and in pain that l asked one of the
officers present what was the matter
with him He said General Lee was
suffering a good deal with diarrhoea.
This was the evening OF the second
days fight and tho day before the final
contest Now, who in such condition
would not be affected In vigor of both
mind and body. and will not this ac-