Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 37.djvu/32

24 Potomac and joined General Lee. It cannot, therefore, be properly said that Lee had these two brigades of cavalry available to mask his movements and keep him informed of the enemy's movements during the absence of Stuart. If they were not available because of failure to obey orders, Stuart must have erred in the selection of the officer whose duty it was to carry them out.

To facilitate comparison of the two reports, in so far as they relate to the cavalry, the following extracts from them are given in alternate quotations from each report, under nine different headings, as follows:

(1) Cavalry was directed to hold the mountain passes until the enemy crossed the Potomac.

First Report: General Stuart was left to guard the passes of the mountains and observe the movements of the enemy, whom he was instructed to harass and impede as much as possible, should he attempt to cross the Potomac.

General Stuart was directed to hold the mountain passes with part of his command as long as the enemy remained south of the Potomac.

(2) If the enemy attempted to cross the Potomac a part of the cavalry was to cross into Maryland.

First Report:

In that event General Stuart was directed to move into Maryland.

And with the remainder to cross into Maryland.

(3) Discretion as to his crossing the Potomac east or west of the Blue Ridge was given at the suggestion of Stuart.

First Report: Crossing the Potomac east or west of the Blue Ridge as in his judgment should be best.

Upon the suggestion of the former officer that he could damage