Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 23.djvu/225

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valley, closing up on the rear of the army. As regards the mo\ ments of the two brigades of the enemy moving towards Warrenton. the commander of the brigades to be left in the mountains must do what he can to counteract them, but I think the sooner you cross into Maryland after to-morrow the better. The movements of !'. well's Corps are as stated in my former letter. Hill's First Division will reach the Potomac to-day, and Longstreet will follow to-mor- row. He watchful and circumspect in your movements. " I am, very respectfully and truly yours,

" R. E. LEE, Genera/."

This letter was written and received after General Longstreet's letter to General Stuart of the 22d of June, enclosing that of Gene- ral Lee, with the suggestion or order of General Longstreet as to the movement of General Stuart, of which I have spoken, and is General Lee's last direction to General Stuart before the army left Virginia. It was written and received before General Stuart started on his march " around the rear of the enemy."

It covers the case of the Federal commander remaining inactive, and also of his not moving northward. In the former event Stuart was to leave two brigades to watch him, and with the other three to withdraw, and in the latter event Stuart's whole command was to be withdrawn to-morrow night (the 24th), "this side of the moun- tain," cross the Potomac at Shepherdstown, and move towards Fredericktown the next day.

It also leaves Stuart to decide whether he can move around the Federal army (in either of the events mentioned) without hindrance, doing him all the damage he can, and cross east of the mountains. In either case, after crossing the river, Stuart is directed to move on and feel the right of Ewell's Corps, collecting information, etc.

You will see that whether Stuart should cross the Potomac at Shepherdstown, as General Lee directed, or in the exercise of the discretion given him to pass around the rear of the enemy and cross the Potomac east of the mountains, he was ordered, uncondition- ally, " after crossing the river," to move on and "feel the right of Ewell's troops, collecting information," etc.

This explicit order precluded any movement by Stuart that would prevent him from " feeling the right of Ewell's troops," after cross- ing the Potomac, and it was the last order General Stuart received before leaving Virginia.