114. UNION INTELLIGENCE ISSUES THE FIRST REPORT OF LEE'S PLAN TO INVADE THE NORTH Historically important A.L.S., 3pp. 4to. , "Head Quarters Army of the Potomac", June 9, 1863, in which Colonel Sharp, head of the Federal Department of Information, submits the first known report that Lee's troops were concentrating and moving into Maryland at the start of the Gettysburg Campaign! Lee had started his troop movements for the Gettysburg campaign on June 3, and until the day this report was written, his pickets had successfully kept Hooker guessing as to Lee's location and intentions. However, on June 9, Federal cavalry crossed the Rappahannock aggressively and in force, catching Stuart's cavalry completely by surprise at Brandy Station and successfully gathered detailed information on the disposition of Lee's army and its intended movements. While returning officers may have brought back bits and pieces of information, it is almost certain that Colonel Sharpe, as head of the Federal Department of Information, was the first to gather this intelligence into a cohesive and incredibly accurate whole. In very small part: "...General: The two Corps lately comprising the Army of Northern Va. have been divided into three. Lieut. General Longstreet continues to command his Corp with the exception of Anderson's Division. Lieut. Gen'l Ewell commands Jackson's Corps with the exception of A. P. Hill's division. The 3rd and light Corps has been made up of Anderson's division: two divisions made out of A. P. Hills Old Division respectively commended by Generals Heath and Pender is under the command of General A.P. Hill. Heath's division comprises his old brigade and one other from A.P. Hills old division and two new brigades..which have lately come...from D.H. Hill's command in North Carolina I would mention these two last named brigades are very large and full...Our scouts returned this morning penetrated considerably in the direction of Hanover Junction. They report the country between Fredericksburg and Richmond and along the line of the Rappahanock ...is open and unoccupied by troops with the exception of the 15th Va. Cavalry, which is very inefficient...Pickett's division lately at Taylorsville has joined the Army opposite us with the exception of the 30th Va., and it is also believed that their troops have been drawn from Richmond and North Carolina...Hood's division lately near Gordonsville, The Texans have been mounted and turned into Stuart's cavalry, and the rest of the force has joined the Army opposite us. We believe Longstreet to be at Kelly's Ford, and Ewell to also be in the same direction, but whether above or below we are unable to state...Major General Trimble ...Under date of June 3 issues an address to Marylanders showing that he intends moving in that direction, it is now respectfully suggested that the arrival of fresh troops from Richmond and North Carolina would seem to show that it is not the intention to take this army south and that General Trimble is not to have the only command pointed out in this address..." This report and additional information received on the following day provided conclusive evidence of Lee's intention to invade the North, forcing the federal army to pursue it in the same direction. It can be argued that this report helped to trigger events leading to the battle of Gettysburg. Folds, otherwise fine condition. $1,500-2000