he war to enemy soil for the first time in the Eastern theater. He would take his Army of Northern Virginia north, traveling into a border state and launching a campaign that would start the single bloodiest day of combat in American history.
             By invading Maryland, Lee thought, he could achieve his first military objectives. He could pressure the enemy on enemy soil. He would be able to feed his army and their horses on Maryland's rich autumn harvest. Lee was also almost certain he could lure the Federal forces away from Washington, which would prevent another enemy march on Richmond before winter came. ( The Bloodiest Day by Ronald Bailey pg 8 c1984)
             On the morning of September 3, General Lee decided to berak camp and directed his troops towards the shallow fords of the Potomac River, which is located just above Leesburg, Virginia, 25 miles northwest of Chantilly. Lee had a good idea when he chose this particular destination. It was about 30 miles upriver from Washington and just East of the Blue Ridge Mountains. If t
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