In the late Summer of 1862 the Army of Northern Virginia was riding the crest of a wave of victory that was seemingly about to engulf the Federal capital itself.
General Robert E. Lee and his army, although victorious, was somewhat worse for
In the late Summer of 1862 the Army of Northern Virginia was riding the crest of a wave of victory that was seemingly about to engulf the Federal capital itself.
General Robert E. Lee and his army, although victorious, was somewhat worse for wear. They had been marching and fighting since May, from down on the Peninsula withstanding McClellan's attempts to capture Richmond, to the latest battle at Manassas and his men were tired, ill clad and hungry. It would take some time to get them back into shape. But Lee had no intention of taking time. In a letter to President Jefferson Davis
dated September 3rd, Lee expresses his desire to move north into Maryland, but:
The army is not properly for an invasion of an enemy's territory.It lacks much of the
material of war, is feeble in transportation, the animals being much reduced,
and the men are poorly provided with clothes, and in thousands of instances
are destitute of shoes. Still, we cannot afford to be idle, and though weaker than our
opponents in men and military equipments, must endeavor to harass if we
cannot destroy them.  (partial text)
He had no desire to attack the Federals in their works about Washington for the reasons he stated in the above passage. He planned to provision and rest his army while threatening Washington and Federal troops in the Shenandoah Valley but he was intent on Maryland if it proved to be a feasible venture, and if not, the close proximity of the Confederate army to Washington would keep that city in turmoil and McClellans army occupied. Of necessity he could not wait long and on September 4th the Army of Northern Virginia began its crossing of the Potomac at Leesburg, Virginia. The relief of the citizens of Virginia was underway and the liberation of the good people of Maryland was at hand.
To be sure transferring the seat of war from Virginia had advantages, some of them very much worth the venture with a worn army, and Lee judged the risk beneficial to the Southern cause. There was always the possibility of moving beyond Maryland and into Pennsylvania. The movement of Lee's army would bring the Federal army North of the Potomac, and men of Maryland would flock to the colors of the Confederacy. The Confederate leadership had reason to believe the latter case was a real prospect. To the minds of the Confederate leaders the arrest of that states legislators and other citizens of high standing, the rioting in Baltimore in April 1861, and having several Maryland regiments serving in the Confederate armies was proof enough that Marylanders were very sympathetic to them and would eagerly join themselves to Lee's army. They believed that the citizens of Maryland needed a chance to freely express their will.  (They did, but not in a way hoped for, or in the numbers believed to be available.) All very good reasons to go North. The prospects looked very bright for such a move that late summer of 1862 and, back of it all, another prospect began to grow in Lee's mind. This new campaign was at its core a campaign for peace. No other reason would induce a general like Lee to risk losing his worn army across the Potomac other than that shining prospect. So Lee moved North.
On September 8th Lee issued a proclamation, over his own name, to the people of Maryland. In it he gives the reasons why the Confederate army had entered their state.
This, citizens of Maryland, is our mission, so far as you are concerned. No constraint upon your free will is intended; no intimidation will be allowed within the limit of this army, at least. Marylanders shall once more enjoy their ancient freedom of thought and speech. We know no enemies among you, and will protect all, of every opinion. It is for you to decide your destiny freely and without constraint. This army will respect your choice, whatever it may be; and while the Southern people will rejoice to welcome you to your natural position among them, they will only welcome you when you come of your own free will.
R. E. LEE,
General, Commanding.  (Partial text)
These words indicate that Lee acknowledged the right of Maryland's citizens to make their own choice in the matter. Up to this point the Confederacy had been waging a war of self defense, now they were in Union territory. The wording also is suited to the political situation as a whole, and to the sensibilities of European observers, who, it was hoped, would perceive the Confederate army as liberators rather than invaders. Although the proclamation was written by Lee it conveyed the sentiments of a proclamation written by J