Jeb Stuart during the invasion

[whitworth]

If he thought everything would go right, that was his first mistake.

Lee never had enough cavalry for his strung out army. Lee sent Jenkins' cavalry with part of Ewell's Corps that moved through Mechanicsburg to the Camp Hill area across from Harrisburg. White's brigade went to York and Wrightsville. Part of Stuart's cavalry was left guarding gaps protecting Lee's rear area. Stuart got a late start due to his guarding, including battle with Union Cavalry, the Blue Ridge gaps, protecting Lee. Then Stuart was blocked from crossing through the gaps in the Bull Run Mountains. This latter plan of movement was approved by Lee.

Lee really made no assignment, or had available, cavalry to screen from Williamsport/Hagerstown towards Gettysburg. Lee had no cavalry to screen his move to Gettysburg, preceeding Hill's Corps.
One Cavalry unit under Imboden was off to the west protecting Lee's western flank.

Once Stuart got blocked, there were too few cavalry units to protect all the approaches of the Army of the Potomac.
Lee had underestimated his critical need of cavalry and had an army that was too spread out to be absolutely effective.

[ole]

Lee had underestimated his critical need of cavalry and had an army that was too spread out to be absolutely effective.

First time I've heard it said that way. Thanks for the observation. Will wait with you for some more response.

ole