Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 23.djvu/222

 216 Southern Historical Society Papers.

found that the enemy was moving northward, and that he could pro- tect his rear with two brigades of his force, to move the other three into Maryland and take position on General Ewell's right, place himself in communciation with him, guard his flank, and keep him informed of the enemy's movements. This order was sent through General Longstreet, under whose immediate command General Stuart then was, leaving General Longstreet to decide whether the cavalry could be spared to execute the order, and also to direct how it should best move to carry it out in view of the state of things ex- isting when the order was delivered to General Stuart.

WHAT LEE EXPECTED.

The letter of General Lee to General Stuart, however, shows that when it was written General Lee expected that General Stuart would pass with all his cavalry, except two brigades, to the west of the Blue Ridge, and cross the Potomac on that side of the mountains, leaving two brigades in the gaps to guard his rear as long as the enemy threatened to attempt to penetrate through the gaps into the Valley.

The letter of General Lee to General Ewell informing that officer of the order General Lee had given to General Stuart, if General Longstreet decided that Stuart could be spared, shows very clearly that the movement that General Lee assumed would be made by General Stuart was to cross into Maryland, and put himself on the right of General Ewell.

The letter of General Longstreet to General Lee, which I have quoted, acknowledging the receipt of General Lee's letter to Gene- ral Stuart, states that General Longstreet had forwarded that letter with the suggestion that the latter should pass to the enemy's rear, "if he thinks he can get through."

What General Longstreet calls a ' ' suggestion ' ' was, in effect, an order, as will be seen. It was as follows:

"MILLWOOD, June 22, s86j 7 P. M.

" Major- General J. E. B. Stuart, Commanding Cavalry:

"GENERAL, General Lee has enclosed to me this letter for you, to be forwarded to you, provided you can be spared from my front, and provided I think you can move across the Potomac with- out disclosing our plans. He speaks of your leaving via Hopewell