Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 37.djvu/105

Rh The last communication between Longstreet and Stuart was Longstreet's letter of the 22d, already quoted. The last between Lee and Stuart, was Lee's, of the 23d, written at five P. M., the closing injunction of which was, that "in any event the sooner he crossed into Maryland after tomorrow, the better." The information referred to by Mosby, as given by him to Stuart, if forwarded by the latter, must have been intercepted, as it never reached General Lee. When two divisions of Swell's were thrown across the river at Williamsport, and one held at Shepherdstown, General Lee wished to mark the effect of the movement on Hooker, but Hooker remained quiet, and Ewell maintained his position until he set forward on the 22d, marching through the Cumberland Valley, and occupying successively Hagerstown, Greencastle, Chambersburg and Carlisle, making requisitions and securing supplies. He reached Carlisle on the 27th, with two divisions, Johnson's and Rodes', while Early was deflected to the east, and directed to move across South Mountain to Gettysburg and York. Early passed through Gettysburg without opposition, on the 26th, and reached York on the 27th. While the requisitions made by Early upon the authorities at York, were being complied with, Gordon with his brigade was dispatched to Wrightsville, on the 28th, to secure the Columbia bridge over the Susquehanna, his purpose being, if he obtained possession of the bridge, to cross his force over the river, cut attack Harrisburg from the rear, expecting the balance of the division to move on it in front. Gordon found a body of militia the Pennsylvania Railroad, lay Lancaster under contribution, and entrenched to protect the bridge, which he tried to take in flank, and cut off from the bridge, but his ignorance of the ground prevented his doing so.

The opening of the artillery upon the militia, put them to flight, but when Gordon, following closely, reached the middle of the bridge, it was found to have been fired, and he was compelled to halt.

The calavry operating with Early, consisted of a batallion under Colonel White, who was dispatched to Hanover Junction to destroy the depot and bridges in that neighborhood. A similar force under French, was sent to destroy the bridges over the Codorus, between Hanover Junction and York, and those at the