the passes Lee designed to use and moved along the eastern slope of the mountains, as if to cut off Lee's communications with his capital.
To prevent this, Lee crossed Chester Gap and went into Culpeper, his advance reaching Culpeper Court House July 24th.
Afterward, with a view of placing his force in a position to move readily to oppose the enemy, should he proceed south, and to better protect Richmond, he made the Rapidan his defensive line.
While at Bunker Hill he wrote Mrs. Lee on July 15th: The army has returned to Virginia.
Its return is rather sooner than I had originally contemplated, but, having accomplished much of what I proposed on leaving the Rappahannock-namely, relieving the Valley of the presence of the enemy, and drawing his army north of the Potomac — I determined to recross the latter river.
The enemy, after centering his forces in our front, began to fortify himself in his position and bring up his troops, militia, etc., and those around Washington and Alex
of the Federal army in front of Petersburg.
July 14
The drought continues here; but at some other places there has fallen heavy rain.
The excitement on the news of our successes in Maryland is intense, and a belief prevails that great results will grow out of this invasion of the country held by the enemy.
Twice before but little if any benefit resulted from crossing the Potomac.
It is rumored to-day that Longstreet's corps has marched to Maryland, and that Lee is with it.
July 15
Clear and cool; subsequently cloudy.
The Washington Chronicle of the 12th, received yesterday, indicates that Washington or Baltimore, or both, were in danger of falling into our possession.
Lieut.-Col. G. W. Lay said, this morning, in my office, that Grant would not leave — that he held a most important positionthat he would not fail in his campaign; that our operations beyond the Potomac were not of sufficient magnitude to produce important results; and, finally, that Germany