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of an enormous and rapidly accumulating National debt.
It was believed that a vigorous invasion of
Maryland and
Pennsylvania again would inaugurate a revolution in the Free-labor States, which would lead to a practical coalition between the
Confederates and their political friends in the
North, and a speedy peace on terms dictated, by the servants of
Jefferson Davis, on the banks of the
Susquehanna and the
Ohio.
Back of all this was a powerful and perhaps a prime motive for such an invasion, in the lack of subsistence for
Lee's army, then to be obtained, it was believed, most speedily and abundantly from the herds and flocks and store-houses of more fruitful
Maryland and
Pennsylvania.
1 These considerations made the
Confederate leaders audacious, and impelled them to attempt audacious achievements.
At the time we are considering, the Army of Northern Virginia was in a condition of strength and
morale,
General Longstreet said, “to undertake any thing.”
2
Impelled by false notions of the temper of a greater portion of the people of the Free-labor States, and the real resources and strength of the Government, the conspirators ordered Lee to invade Maryland and Pennsylvania again.
So early as the 28th of May Hooker suspected such movement, and so informed the Secretary of War.
Earlier than this a benevolent citizen,3 who had been much in the army for the purpose of comforting the sick and wounded, and had rare opportunities for obtaining information from Confederate councils, had warned the authorities at Washington, Baltimore, and Harrisburg, of the impending danger; but these were slow to believe that
