Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 37.djvu/226

218 cross the Potomac east of the Blue Ridge, and "pass by the enemy's rear," and so find himself in such a position that he could not carry out those instructions?

Now Colonel Mosby here puts a gloss on the record, and represents that General Lee instructed General Stuart to "move to Pennsylvania and join Ewell on the Susquehanna," (p. 88.) Throughout the whole discussion he again and again represents General Lee's order in this way, as an order to proceed to the Susquehanna and join General Ewell. (Pp. 89, 91, 154, 180.)

But this is not what General Lee ordered him to do, but to place himself on Ewell's right in the latter's movement "towards the Susquehanna," to guard his flank and keep him informed of the enemy's movement. Colonel Mosby eliminates all this and represents the order received by General Stuart to be to "join Ewell on the Susquehanna" and then "act as Ewell's Chief of Cavalry." (P. 89.) Again, "Lee had informed Stuart that he would find Ewell on the Susquehanna." (P. 180.)

Lee had done nothing of the kind. I submit that this is a complete misreading, or mis-statement, of General Lee's instructions. Though General Lee and General Longstreet both suggested that Stuart should cross east of the Blue Ridge and pass in rear of Hooker's army, it was evidently the intention that he should, as soon as possible, connect with General Ewell in his northward march "towards the Susquehanna," General Stuart himself says in his report that he was directed "to proceed with all dispatch to join the right of the army in Pennsylvania."

In his zeal to justify General Stuart, Colonel Mosby has mis-read and so mis-stated the records. Such carelessness in a crucial point like this is inexcusable.

Here, let it be noted that, in order to interpret correctly the meaning and intent of General Lee's communications to General Stuart in those critical days, June 22-24, it is essential to place before the mind's eye the situation of the two armies at the time. General Stuart in his report says:

"I submitted to the Commanding General the plan of leaving a brigade or so in my present front, and passing through Hopewell or some other gap in the Bull Run Mountains, attain the enemy's rear, passing between his main body and Washington, and cross