October 13, 1863 (Thursday): Halleck Prepares For A Raid by Lee

Harper's Ferry

WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington, October 13, 1863-3. 30 p. m.
Brigadier-General KELLEY,
Clarksburg, W. Va.:
    Lee's army is moving north, and perhaps will go into the Shenandoah Valley. Your attention is called to Harper's Ferry and the railroad in the vicinity, as cavalry raids may be made in that direction.


     H. W. HALLECK,
     General-in-Chief.

Official Records, Series I., Vol. 29, Part 2, Page 309.

The impression existed, both in the North and South, that Lee was possibly going to attempt at least a partial raid across the Potomac.  He possessed nothing near the force required to do so, and his cavalry was so lacking in forage for the horses he could not muster enough force for a significant cavalry raid.  Lee was playing a bold hand with few trump cards.