...liberty of action, with the assured support of his Government,--an immense advantage over an opponent who had neither. As soon as Hooker learned from Pleasonton that a large infantry force was at Culpeper , he extended his right up the Rappahannock, and when informed of Ewell's move toward the valley, being forbidden to attack A. P. Hill at Fredericksburg or to spoil Lee's plans by marching to Richmond...