DC was very strongly defended. Are you willing to give us some idea of where?
Stuart was ordered to Ewell. When Stuart assembled his troopers together on June 25, Ewell was in Chambersburg. Between Lee and Stuart was the Federal army, the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Bull Run Mountains. How could Stuart keep Lee informed of the movement of the Union army.
Stuart left Roberston and Jones to protect the right flank and rear of the army as it moved north. Robertson did not.