... cavalry of Lee's army was in its prime; it was never seen afterward in equal glory. Pleasonton's movement across the Rappahannock that day was in fact a reconnoissance in force to ascertain for General Hooker 's information to what extent the rumors were true that Lee was en route across the Blue Ridge to the Shenandoah Valley, and so no doubt to the Potomac and beyond. Hooker's army was in the old camps...