Hd Qrs near Leesburg
2 PM Octr 12th 1862
General:
I have the honor to report that I reached the Va shore with my entire command to-day. My passage of the Potomac was opposed by Stoneman’s Brigade, but we were fortunate enough to elude him without loss. We captured Chambersburg & destroyed many stores & took over 2 thousand horses, many villages, & prisoners, cutting McClellans communications at Newmarket on Balt. & Ohio R. R. McC Hd Qrs are or were on 10th at or near Petersville. No material portion of the army has left since battle of Sh___g
It is estimated that McC has recd about 25000 in accession to his numbers since Stoneman has arrived force of Cavy & Infy on the River Hd Qrs at Poolesville [Maryland]. I crossed at White’s ford. I send late paper. Shall report in person as soon as possible.
Mo Resp
J E B Stuart
MajorGenl
Source: Scan of original letter, The Papers of Robert E. Lee, 1830-1870, Special Collections Library, University of Virginia, Charlottesville
Transcribed by Colin Woodward, 2017 November 2
