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[We know that some of our readers have grown weary of the
Gettysburg discussion, but on the other hand we have assurances from every quarter that the papers on this great battle have been of deep interest and
invaluable as “material for the future historian.”
The following paper, by the commander of a division in
Longstreet's corps, was read some months ago before the
Georgia Historical Society, and should have been promptly admitted into our series had it been sent to us originally.
We print it just as we have received it, albeit the distinguished soldier who wrote it might probably have modified certain portions of it had he had opportunity of reading our series before preparing it.]
After the
battle of Chancellorsville,
General Hooker's army returned to its position on the
Washington side of the
Rappahannock, and that of
General Lee reoccupied its old grounds opposite
Hooker, on the
Richmond side, in and around
Fredericksburg.
As it was evident that the
Federal army could not be attacked as it stood, except under great disadvantages, it was determined to turn its flank and to transfer the war into the enemy's country.
Accordingly, on the 3d of June, 1863, my division moved from its camps in and around
Fredericksburg, and took position at Culpeper Courthouse.
Hood's division followed mine and then came
Ewell's corps —
Hill's corps being left to watch the movements of
Hooker's army, with orders to follow our movements so soon as
Hooker could be manoeuvred out of his position.
Shortly after our arrival at
Culpeper,
Hooker's cavalry made such a sudden and unexpected irruption across the
Rappahannock, that, though driven back with loss, they captured
General Stuart's headquarters with all his orders and correspondence, and forced
General Lee to display his infantry or partially to do so. From both these sources
General Hooker was satisfied that
General Lee was on the move, and it was a reasonable presumption that he was trying to turn his flanks, in order to try the issue of battle on the same grounds, and under the same circumstances, that he had defeated
General Pope's army at the
second Manassas.
Accordingly,
General Hooker concentrated his army so as to cover
Washington, and be prepared to give front to
General Lee, let him come from what direction he might.
General Lee's army was at this time very much scattered, his advance being over one hundred miles or more from
Hill's corps,
