September 17, 1863 (Saturday): Stuart Looks To The Artillery

General J. E. B. Stuart

GENERAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. CAVALRY CORPS, A. N. VA., No. 3. September 17, 1863.
   Officers immediately in command on the battle-field will be held to strict accountability for the safety of artillery operating with their commands. They will see that a sufficient support of cavalry sharpshooters is in every case specially charged with its support and protection at all hazards.
    By command of Major General J. E. B. Stuart:


    H. B. McCLELLAN,
    Major, and Assistant Adjutant-General.

Series I., Vol. 29, Part 2, Page 729.

It is interesting to speculate as to what caused Stuart to bring up the topic of the artillery's safety.  The horse artillery attached to his command was often in the thick of fighting and by necessity required greater support than might be needed by the heavy artillery attached to corps.