n army strong
enough to cut through the lines of the enemy, in order to reach his base
of supplies.

After three days' fighting at Gettysburg he had gone as far as he dared
go toward the depletion of his men and supplies; hence he ordered a
retreat, knowing that he was still strong enough to handle the enemy and
reach the south bank of the Potomac.

Some say it was because Jackson was not there; but the battles of the
Wilderness, Spotsylvania and Cold Harbor, where Grant was in command of
the Northern army, demonstrated that Lee could win victories without
Jackson. Perhaps what contributed most to Lee's defeat at Gettysburg was
the absence of the cavalry just at a time when he needed it most. Had
Stuart kept the cavalry between the two armies, and informed Lee as to
the movements of the enemy, he would not have been placed in such a
disadvantageous position as he was at Gettysburg. Then again, the enemy
had vastly superior numbers.

[Illustration: GEN. ROBERT E. LEE.

This picture was taken at the rear of General Lee's house on Franklin
street, Richmond, in April, 1865, immediately after his return from
Appomattox, and represents him in the style of uniform which he
habitually wore in the army.]

Whatever may have been the cause of his defeat, Gen. Lee, with the
magnanimity characteristic of him, said: "It was all my fault."

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 2: The two armies, occupying opposite banks of the river near
Fredericksburg, began their march for Gettysburg June the 3rd, 1863,
moving northeast along the Rappahannock river, the cavalry of each army
marching between. When Lee reached the Blue Ridge he crossed it at three
different places, Chester Gap, Ashby's and Snickersville Gaps. The two
cavalry forces came together and fought quite a severe battle, beginning
at Aldie, below Middleburg, and extending to Paris, at the foot of the
mountain. Directly after this battle Stuart took the main part of his
cavalry, moved back as far as Salem, or Delaplane, as it is now called,
moved across the country in rear of the Federal army, passing Manassas
and Centerville, then marched direct for the Potomac, which he crossed
between Leesburg and Washington. Then through Maryland into Pennsylvania
as far as Carlisle, and there he turned south, arriving at Gettysburg on
the night after the second day of the battle, thus completely encircling
the Union army. (See map).

On its march down the Virginia valley to the Potomac Lee's ar