General_.
This order speaks for itself, and indicates Lee's plan of battle in all its details.

Further comment is unnecessary; and we proceed to narrate the events which followed.

In doing so, we shall strive to present a clear and intelligible account of what occurred, rather than to indulge in the warlike splendors of style which characterized the "army correspondents" of the journals during the war.

Such a treatment of the subject is left to others, who write under the influence of partisan afflatus, rather than with the judicious moderation of the historian.

Nor are battles themselves the subjects of greatest interest to the thoughtful student.