Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 34.djvu/13

 al Lee's 8trterjy <(t Gh'rttcellorsville. 5

'General Jackson, what do you propose to do?' Tie replied, 'Go around here,' moving his finger over the road which I had lo- cated- upon the map. General Lee said, 'What do you propose to make the movement with?' '\Yilh my whole corps,' was the answer. General Lee then asked 'What will you leave me?' 'The divisions of Anderson and McLaws/ said Jackson. Gen- eral Lee, after a moment's reflection, remarked, 'Well, go on/ and then, pencil in hand, gave his last instructions. Jackson, with an eager smile upon his face, from time to time nodded assent, and when the Commander-in-Chief ended with the words, 'General Stuart will cover your movements with his cavalry,' he rose and saluted, saying, 'My troops will move at once, sir.' ''

Condensing the account of Allan and Hotchkiss, the princi- pal facts stated are :

1. Lee and Jackson passed the night in close proximity to each other, whether with or without conference is not stated. The difficulty of attacking the Federal position in front had induced General Lee to order his cavalry to reconnoitre the right flank of the Union army, and during the night they reported favorably to an attack in that direction.

2. At daybreak on May 2nd, General Jackson dispatched two of his staff to ascertain whether there was a practicable route by which he might move with speed and secrecy around the flank of General Hooker's army. The needed information was soon obtained, and General Jackson, after his two staff officers had reported the result of their reconnoisance, sug- gested to General Lee an entire circuit of the right flank of the opposing army, and that the attack should be made in its rear. That after some hesitation General Lee accepted General Jackson's suggestion, and then, but not until then, orders for the inarch of the Second Corps were given.

Dr. Dabney says :

i. "When Friday night arrived, Generals Lee and Jackson met at a spot where the road to the Catherine Furnace turned southeastward from the Plank Road * * *. General Stuart