Musing of a History Buff - Oct. 1

From Information gleaned by the Bureau of Military Information and spies in the South, particularly in the Confederate White House, the Union General staff knew Gen. Lee intended to attack the North. But the when and the where was unclear.

When the Union forces lost contact with the Confederate rear guard across the Rappahannock, at that moment, the Union General staff knew Lee’s move north was on.

From my readings I would surmise my Great-Grandfather Amos Ellis probably volunteered, or was asked or even ordered to drive a wagon for the First Texas Infantry. This would free up a soldier for combat duties.

The Union General in command in the field in the Eastern Theater was Brigadier General Joseph D. Hooker. Gen. Lee had beaten Hooker severely at Chancellorsville, so much so many thought he had lost his nerve. Abraham Lincoln was one of these.

By this time the Confederate forces had slipped away from the Rappahannock River and had passed through the gaps in the Blue Ridge Mountains and turned north towards Maryland. The Union command anticipating this move sent Union cavalry across the Rappahannock to investigate.

Union Cavalry surprised Major General J.E.B. Stuart in camp at Brandy Station, VA. However, the battle was a narrow victory for the Southern forces.

The Battle of Brandy Station on June 3 was the largest cavalry battle on the American continent. The battle lasted for 10 hours. Even though the Union cavalry lost, it was the first time they had equaled the Southern Cavalry in battle.

Gen. Stuart being at Brady Station proved that Lee was headed north. Gen. Hooker commanded all Union forces to hasten north with all possible speed. This was a significant order.

After the battle at Brandy Station, Gen. Stuart and his cavalry headed east and intended to ride around the Union forces as he had done before. However, since the Union forces were moving so fast he was unable to do it.

Stuart became trapped on the east side of the Union army; General Lee lost his cavalry screen and his eyes on the enemy forces. He was moving into enemy territory completely blind.

Gen. Hooker and the Army Staff in Washington DC got into a dispute over supplies and Hooker impulsively tendered his resignation. Much to Gen. Hooker’s surprise, President Lincoln accepted it.

Just three days before the most important battle of the Civil War, June 28, 1863, Lincoln appointed Maj. Gen. George G. Meade to command the Union forces. Meade was not Lincoln’s first choice.

However, Gen. Meade was no amateur, like Hooker before him he was a field commander with many battles to his credit. When Lee got the news the next day, like Hooker, he knew him personally and felt he knew what Meade would do.

A Confederate scout/spy named Henry Thomas Harrison was in the employ of Gen. Longstreet and reported directly to him. On the evening of June 30, 1863, Harrison reported in and his shocking information was then relayed to Gen. Lee by Longstreet.

Lee was surprised by the news that the Union forces were miles closer than he had ever imagined. Somewhat alarmed by this news he sent word to all commands to gather at Cashtown, PA less than eight miles from Gettysburg.

Grandpa Ellis was with Longstreet’s Corps and they were camped in Chambersburg, PA, only 18 miles from Cashtown and 25 miles from Gettysburg.

Gen. Meade was still in Maryland and not knowing where all his forces were, consulted a map and is said to have impulsively pointed to a town on the map. Word was sent to all commands to gather at the crossroads town of Gettysburg.

Until next time…