Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 34.djvu/17

 General Jjcc't* tilratet at OhctttceKorsville. 9

John Ksten Cooke says in his "Military Biography of Stone- wall Jackson": "The column commenced to move at daybreak," and Dr. 1 )ahney states that (ieneral Jackson reached the furnace at the head of his column, "a little after sunrise."

These extracts from the Official Reports, and statements of (ieneral Jackson's biographers, suffice to show that the movements of the Second Corps, on May 2nd, began much earlier than the statement of Allan and Hotchkiss would indicate, and, if so. before their reported interview between Lee and Jackson could have occurred. There must, therefore, have been an understanding between Lee and Jackson that Hooker's right flank was to be turned by Jackson, and marching orders must have been given the night before for an early start on the morn- ing of Saturday, May 2nd.

Hotchkiss' representation that there was time for him after daylight to go to the furnace, arouse Col. Welford, get informa- tion about the roads, return to General Jackson and make his report, and then for ( ienerals Lee and Jackson to confer, and reach a conclusion before marching orders were issued to the Second Corps, is at variance with substantiated facts, even with- out what follows :

WHAT GENERAL LEE HAS SAID.

In a letter to Mrs. Jackson, dated January 25th, 1866., ( ieneral Lee said, in commenting on the manuscript of Dr. Dab- ney's "Life and Campaigns of Lieut-General T. J. (Stonewall) Jackson." which had been submitted to him for examination be- fore publication :

"I am misrepresented at the Battle of Chancellorsville in proposing an attack in front, the first* evening of our arrival. On the contrary, I decided against it, and stated to General Jackson, we must attack on our left as soon as practicable; and the necessary movement of the troops began immediately. In consequence of a report received about that time, from General Fitz. Lee, describing the position of the Federal army, and the roads which he held with his cavalry leading to its rear, Gen- eral Jackson, after some inquiry concerning the roads leading to the furnace, undertook to throw his command entirely in Hooker's rear, which he accomplished with equal skill and