April 16, 1863 (Thursday): Hooker Moves, Lee Appraises

Eastern Virginia (nps.gov)

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA, April 16, 1863.
His Excellency JEFFERSON DAVIS,
President of the Confederate States:
    Mr. PRESIDENT: Information derived from our scouts has shown that a movement on the part of the enemy's cavalry was in contemplation. They have been kept massed and rationed for several days past. On Monday evening they were seen moving up the Rappahannock, and on Tuesday morning they appeared at Kelly's Ford, with an intention to cross. They were, however, repulsed by our dismounted skirmishers, but forced a passage at the Rappahannock Bridge, where they were soon driven back. From information I received, I was led to believe that their destination was the Shenandoah Valley. General Stuart was apprised of this suspected movement, and General W. E. Jones was placed upon his guard. The last dispatches from General Stuart, dated yesterday, report the enemy's cavalry north of the Rappahannock, massed opposite Kelly's and Beverly Fords and Rappahannock Bridge. Prisoners report they were rationed for eight days. The cavalry were accompanied by artillery and wagons. General Stuart thinks the movement a feint to cover other operations. He can learn of no force moving toward the Blue Ridge, but thinks from the reports of his scouts that General Hooker intends to transfer his army to White House, on the Pamunkey, or to the south side of James River. My own impression has been that the movement was intended to draw us to the Upper

Rappahannock, that Fredericksburg might be seized, and the bridges across the river rebuilt. I do not think General Hooker will venture to uncover Washington City, by transferring his army to James River, unless the force in front of Alexandria is greater than I suppose, or unless he believes this army incapable of advancing to the Potomac. My only anxiety arises from the present immobility of the army, owing to the condition of our horses and the scarcity of forage and provisions. I think it all-important that we should assume the aggressive by the 1st of May, when we may expect General Hooker's army to be weakened by the expiration of the term of service of many of his regiments, and before new recruits can be received. If we could be placed in a condition to make a vigorous advance at that time, I think the Valley could be swept of Milroy, and the army opposite me be thrown north of the Potomac. I believe greater relief would in this way be afforded to the armies in Middle Tennessee and on the Carolina coast than by any other method.
I had hoped by General Longstreet's operations in North Carolina to obtain sufficient subsistence to commence the movement, and by the operations in Northwestern Virginia to continue the supplies. It must, therefore, depend upon the success of these operations unless other means can be devised for procuring subsistence. I therefore submit the matter to Your Excellency for consideration, in the hope that some plan may be formed to attain this object. At present we are very much scattered, and I am unable to bring the army together for want of proper subsistence and forage.
      I am, with great respect, your obedient servant,


      R. E. LEE,
      General.
 
P. S.-A dispatch from General Stuart, dated 9 p.m. yesterday, just received, states that the heavy rains and swollen streams have entirely arrested military operations on the Upper Rappahannock.
The contest terminated yesterday with the capture of about 40 of the enemy's cavalry at Beverly Ford. Several were killed and drowned in crossing the river. Our loss, 1 killed and 4 wounded. General W. H. F. Lee's brigade was engaged, two regiments being absent. General Fitz. Lee's brigade was held at Amissville.

Official Records, Series I. Vol. 25, Part 2, Pages 724-725.

Lee's judgment differs from Stuart's, with the cavalry leader believing Hooker will return to McClellan's line of approach at White House on the Pamunkey.  But Lee correctly understands Hooker is restricted to an overland campaign from north to south which covers the capital, understanding correctly the intent of Stoneman's sweep up river.  He also wants to go on the aggressive by May 1, timed to the expiration of terms of service in Hooker's army. But he ties the ability to make the movement to Longstreet  and forces in Northwestern Virginia gathering sufficient supplies to permit the army to be sustained going north.