some of the most important moves of his campaign, and while family
anxieties were beginning to crowd on him, the condition of his army
and the political situation were already demanding another invasion
of the North. As far as spirit and discipline were concerned, his
troops were never more ready for active service and their numbers
had been so considerably increased during the weeks that followed
the battle of Chancellorsville that by the 1st of June, 1863, he
could count on almost 70,000 fairly well-armed men, supported by
over two hundred cannon.

But the question of supplying food for this great array was every
day becoming more urgent, and the remark of the Commissary-General
that his Chief would soon have to seek his provisions in Pennsylvania
was significant of the situation. Lee thoroughly realized that the
strength of the Confederacy was waning and that unless some great
success in the field should soon force the Union to make terms,
the end of the struggle was in sight. Great victories had already
been won, but always on Southern soil, and the news that Grant was
closing in on Vicksburg demanded that a supreme effort be made to
offset that impending disaster in the West.

If the Southern army could force its way into the North and there
repeat its triumphs, England and France would probably recognize the
Confederacy and the half-hearted supporters of the Union, already
murmuring against the war, would clamor for peace. With this idea
Lee devoted the month following the battle of Chancellorsville
to recruiting his strength and watching for some move on Hooker's
part. But Hooker remained quietly within his lines, so on June
3, 1863, his opponent, concealing his purpose, moved rapidly and
secretly toward Pennsylvania.