February 24, 1863 (Tuesday): A Scout's Report

A Civil War Scout (dmna.ny.gov)

FAIRFAX STATION,
February 24, 1863.
Major-General HOOKER,
Army of the Potomac:
     GENERAL: Stevensburg lies about 6 miles southwest from Kelly's Ford, on the Rappahannock.
General Longstreet passed through Richmond on the 18th instant. A portion of his army went to Charleston, S. C., the balance to Suffolk. General Stuart is now at Auburn, near Warrenton. General Jackson and army are at Stauton, with the intention of making a raid in Maryland, with the help of General Stuart.
     Very respectfully, your obedient servant,


    A. YAGER,
    [Scout.]

Official Records, Series I., Vol. 25, Part 2, Page 99.

Scouts often provided useful information, sometimes rumor, sometimes a mix of both.  Yager is correct in saying Longstreet was on the move toward Suffolk, although none of his army went to Charleston.  Stuart was near Warrenton, but Jackson was at Yerby's near Hamilton's Crossing at Fredericksburg.  There does not appear to be anything substantive to the story of a planned raid into Maryland, especially not with Longstreet detached.