Weeks thus slipped by and finally Lee himself became impatient to
know what his adversary was doing. He, accordingly, again summoned
Stuart and ordered him to repeat the experiment of riding around
the opposing army. News of this second, almost derisive defiance
of McClellan soon reached the North, for Stuart, swiftly circling
his right flank, suddenly appeared with 1,800 men at Chambersburg,
Pennsylvania, terrorizing the country and destroying vast quantities
of stores. Stern and indignant orders from Washington warned
the Union Commander that this time he must not permit the daring
troopers to escape. But only a few scouts were captured, and once
more Stuart sped safely back to his chief with full information as
to the strength and position of the Federal lines.

Even this did not arouse McClellan, and two more weeks of inaction
passed before he again set his vast army in motion. But by this
time, the demand for his dismissal had become clamorous and, on
November 5, 1862, President Lincoln reluctantly removed him from
command.





Chapter XIX




Lee against Burnside and Hooker