THE INVASION OF PENNSYLVANIA.
For a month after the battle of Chancellorsville, the two armies lay
confronting each other with only the river between them. During the
time, Hooker's force had been somewhat reduced by the discharge of
several regiments whose term of service had expired, while that of Lee
had been augmented by the arrival of several regiments of North Carolina
troops. His army too had been thoroughly re-organized, and the
question of Jackson's successor settled to the satisfaction of the country.
The President, some time in May, commissioned both Major-Generals
R. S. Ewell and A. P. Hill as Lieutenant-Generals in the army of
Northern Virginia. To the command of each three divisions were assigned,
to complete which Anderson's division was taken from Longstreet's
corps, and that of A. P. Hill reduced to two brigades, and the
command given to Major-General W. D. Pender; to these was added the
brigade of Pettigrew and another from North Carolina, forming a corps,
the command of which was given to Major-General Heth.
General Lee had for some time entertained a plan for the invasion of
the Northern States, being determined that if he could not bring on another
engagement in Virginia, by an invasion to induce the withdrawal
of the Federal forces from her soil.
On the 3d of June, the preparations being complete, McLaws' division
of Longstreet's corps began its march from Fredericksburg toward
Culpeper Court House, and the same evening Hood's division, which had
been lying near the mouth of the Rapidan, followed on to the same
place. By the 8th, the entire army was in motion, with the rear resting
at Culpeper. On the 9th, a large force of Federal cavalry and infantry
crossed the Rappahannock at Beverly's and Kelley's fords, and attacked
General Stuart. The engagement continued throughout the afternoon,
and resulted in the retreat of the Federals beyond the river, leaving behind
them four hundred prisoners and three pieces of artillery. This
engagement is known to Northern writers as the battle of Brandy Station.
The principal fighting on the Confederate side was done by the
11th Virginia cavalry, under command of Colonel Lomax.
