The Maine bugle ... campaign; 1-5 Jan. 1894-Oct. 1898 - Maine.gov

126 THE MAINE BUGLE.
Rhode Island Cavalry to be in action upon both anniversaries
in the year 1863, and the history of the regiment for these two
days is one of disaster, but not of dishonor. The good conduct
of the regiment is praised by its enemies as will appear in the
confederate documents here given.
Lexington, Ky., July ist, 1884.
Capt. George N. Bliss, Providence, R. I.
My Dear Sir:— your favors of recent date are received. I
think I can answer your questions satisfactorily, and you will
find that the statements which I shall make are, in the main,
verified by Gen. Stuart's report, to which you doubtless have
access. On the morning of the 17th of June 1863, Stuart
moved Fitz Lee's brigade, commanded by Col. T. T. Munford,
from Piedmont to Aldie. Robertson's brigade was stationed at
Rector's Cross Roads, and W. H. F. Lee's brigade, commanded
by Col. Chambliss was left near Salem to picket Thoroughfare
Gap, and to keep open communication with Hampton, who was
still in the rear. Stuart detached from Fitz Lee's brigade two
squadrons to accompany himself as body guard and for picket
duty, and with these two squadrons took station at Middleburg
as a central point of communication between his brigades. It
was doubtless Stuart's intention to move Chambliss and Robert-
son towards Middleburg later in the day. When Col. Dufiie
reached Thoroughfare Gap there was no confederate force in
his front but the picket from Chambliss command and this
picket was no doubt instructed to report to the brigade head-
quarters, and was not instructed to report to Stuart at Middle-
burg. Hence Stuart was not aware of Duffie's advance until it
encountered the picket thrown out by his body guard from
Middleburg. The distance from Salem to Thoroughfare Gap is
about eight miles, and from Salem to Middleburg perhaps
twice as far; so you will readily see that unless the
picket at the Gap had been instructed to report direct to Stuart,
the news of Duffie's advance could not have reached Stuart in
time to prepare him for it. Dufiie's movement was certainly a