Page:Decisive Battles Since Waterloo.djvu/270

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DECISIVE BATTLES SINCE WATERLOO.

between it and Washington. He might have succeeded if the army had been stationary, but it was on the move and he had frequent encounters with detached bodies. He had fights at Haymarket with the 2d corps, pushed on and crossed the Potomac at Dranesville, entered Maryland and destroyed the canal, captured a large supply train at Rockville, and then moved on towards Hanover, where he had hopes of finding Early. Here he met Pleasanton's cavalry and a sharp fight followed. Night came on, and Stuart, by a forced march, reached Dover, and then passed on to Carlisle, where he arrived on July 1st, only to find that Early had gone. His men and horses were worn out, and he had done no real harm to the enemy. Orders here reached him to march immediately on Gettysburg, where the battle had begun. When Lee learned that Hooker had crossed the Potomac he determined to push on towards Baltimore, so as to threaten its communication with the North and compel the Union army to follow him. He hoped to lead them to the north, and possibly to engage them near Philadelphia. With this intent he directed his three army corps to assemble at Gettysburg, having no reason to suppose that Meade was moving in that direction.

Ewell was recalled from before Harrisburg, and marched to Scotland on a road connecting with the Gettysburg turnpike. Longstreet's corps moved forward from Chambersburg and Hill's corps from Fayetteville. On June 30th, Pettigrew's brigade pushed on to Gettysburg and was about to enter the place, when Buford's advance compelled him to fall back. Hill then advanced on Gettysburg with his whole division.

Hooker was preparing to follow Lee, when he was succeeded in command by General Meade, who made no change in the plans. His first idea was to prevent Lee from crossing the Susquehanna and marching on Baltimore, and to do this he hurried the army forward and