was really left with two viable choices, either to dig in and prepare to fight another defensive battle for Richmond, or to assume the initiative and attack. The second option was obviously dangerous, since the Confederates were significantly outnumbered, but it did have certain advantages. And Lee was fast becoming known for his ability to pull off a victory against long odds.
             Besides the advantage of retaining the initiative, the Confederate Army was short of supplies, including food, clothing, and shoes. A thrust into Pennsylvania would provide an opportunity to acquire these supplies. An additional potential benefit was the possibility of gaining the still sought after foreign recognition for the Confederacy.
             In June of 1863, General Lee and the Confederate Army were moving northward through Maryland and penetrating into northern territory. The Army of Northern Virginia was divided into three corps, General James Longstreet was in command of the First Corps and was Lee's right-hand man, after Lee's most prized General, General "Stonewall" Jackson was killed in heavy fighting at Chancellorsville. Lieutenant Generals Richard Ewell and Ambrose Hill were commanders of the Second and Third Corps, respectively. General Ewell and his confederate troops had already crossed over the Pennsylvania border and were moving towards Harrisburg, gathering supplies and destroying Union resources along the way. Not far behind were General Hill and Longstreet. General Lee ordered General J.E.B. Stuart, (lee's reliable cavalry commander), to watch the movement of the Federal troops and to report any activity back to him.
             On June 27, General Hooker was replaced as commander of the Union Army by General George Meade, who separated the army into three groups and marched to Pennsylvania.
             On the evening of June 28, General Lee discovered that a scout had found out that the Union Army was closer in proxi...