The bedrock question concerns Stuart being out of communication with Lee during the two weeks prior to Gettysburg. Stuart took Lee's orders and interpreted them as allowing him to ride around the Federal army corps moving north through Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania. Lee had no idea where Stuart might be or what he was doing during that period. Lee also was deprived of immediate information concerning the movements of Federal forces.

Cavalry units are frequently used to screen movements of the army and report the position and apparent strength of enemy forces. During the two weeks prior to Gettysburg, Stuart and his cavalry failed to execute either of these two missions. This doesn't mean that Stuart bears the blame for Gettysburg. It does mean that up until July 2nd, Stuart led his cavalry in such a way that it could not support the rest of the army.