Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 40.djvu/263

Rh Major-Gen. J. E. B. Stuart,

Commanding Cavalry. General: I think you had better withdraw this side of the mountain tomorrow night, cross at Shepherdstown next day, and move over to Fredericktown. You will, however, be able to judge whether you can pass around their army without hindrance, doing them all the damage you can, and cross the river east of the mountains. In other words, after crossing the river you must move on and feel the right of Ewell's troops, collecting information, provisions, etc. * * * I think the sooner you cross into Maryland, after tomorrow, the better. I am

Very respectfully and truly yours, R. E. L,

General.

Thus, in the very last communication received by General Stuart from General Lee the order was emphatically given that as soon as he crossed the river he should place himself on Ewell's right and march with him toward the Susquehanna. The Commanding General indicated Frederick, Md., as Stuart's first objective, and he thought that he had better cross at Shepherdstown; but gave him the option of crossing east of the Blue Ridge and passing around the Federal army if he could "do so without hindrance."

This refers to a suggestion which General Stuart had made, viz: that he should pass through Hopewell or some other gap in the Bull Run Mountains, gain the enemy's rear, passing between his main body and Washington, and cross info Maryland, joining our army north of the Potomac.

Now, at the time of this correspondence, Ewell's corps whose right flank Stuart was to guard, was just beginning its march northward from Hagerstown, and General Hooker's army was still in Virginia. General Stuart's plan then contemplated passing round General Hooker's rear while his army was still south of the Potomac; and General Lee's conditional authorization contemplated that, and that only. It did not authorize