Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-05-17

Ewell's army will probably
move toward the Susquehanna
by the Emmettsburg route, an
other by Chambersburg {.
(signed, r. E. Lee, generaD :"
Headquarters, June %, 1868.
Maj. Gen. j. E. B. Stuart.
Commanding Cavalry.
"General-Your notes Of nine
and half-past ten am. today
have just been received. II Gen.
Hooker's army remains mac
tive you can leave two brigades
to watch him and withdraw
with the three others; but
should he not appear to be
moving northward, I think you
had better withdraw this side
Of the mountain tomorrow
night, cross at Shepherdstown
next day and move over to
Frederickstown.
You will, however, be able
to Judge whether you can pass
around the Army without hin
drance, doing them all the
damage you can. and cross the
river east Of the mountains.
In either case. after crossing
the river, you must move on
and feel the right Of Ewell's
troops, collecting information,
provisions. etc. Give instruc-
tons to the commander of the
brigades left behind to watch
the flank and rear Of the army
and Tin event of the enemy
leaving their 'front.' retire
from the mountains west of
the Shenandoah, leaving suffi-
Gent pickets to guard the
passes. and bringing every
thing clean along the valley,
closing upon the rear Of the
army.
las regards the movements
Of the two brigades of the
enemy moving toward Warren
ton. the commander Of the
brigades to be left in the
mountains must do what he
can to counteract them; but
! think the sooner you cross
into Maryland, after tomor-
row. the better.
The movements Of Ewell's
corps are as stated in my for
mer letter; Hills first division
will reach the Potomac today,
and Longstreet will follow
tomorrow. Be watchful and
circumspect in all your move
ments.
Il am. very respectfully and
truly yours,
r. E. Lee. General"
Before departing on the ex-
petition. which was to take
many days to complete, Stuart
issued the following orders to
his command:
"Brigadier General B. H.
Robertson, Commanding Cav
airy. June ~, 1863.
General - Your own and
General Jones brigade will
cover the front Of Ashby's and
Smokers gaps; yourself. as
senior ofncer, being in COM
mand. Your object will be to
watch the enemy, deceive him
as to our designs, and harass
his rear II you find he is re-
firing. -.
After the enemy has moved
beyond your reach leave suf-
ficient pickets in the noun
tains and withdraw to the west
side Of the Shenandoah, and
place q strong and reliable
picket to watch the enemy at
Harper's Ferry. cross the Po-
tomac and follow the army,
keeping on its right and rear.
"As long as the enemy re-
mains In your front in force,
unless otherwise ordered by
General Lee, General Long
street or myself. hold the gaps
with q line Of pickets reach
ing across the Shenandoah by
Charlestown to the Potomac.
II, in the contingency men,
toned. you withdraw. sweep
the valley clear Of what per-
tains TO the army. and cross
the Potomac at the different
points crossed by 1t. In
case of an advance Of the en-
envy you will offer such resist
ance as will be justifiable to
check him and discover his in
tentions; and, If possible. you
will prevent him from gaining
possession Of the gaps.
I'm case Of q move by the
enemy upon Warrenton you
will counteract 1t as much
as you possibly can compatible
with previous instructions. You
will have the two brigades, two
batteries Of horse artillery.
Very respectfully, your OBJ
Lying servant,
j. e. B. Stuart.
Major General COMMANDING"
The foregoing documents are
TO be found In the Confeder-
ate archives.
Virginia Stuart Waller (Davis),
Granddaughter Of Gen.
eral Jeh Stuart.