"Longstreet sent for his favorite scout, Harrison. His instructions were to proceed into the enemy's lines, where he was to stay until the last part of June. Then he was to report to General Longstreet, it was hoped, with the amplest and most accurate information. 'Where shall I find you, General, to make this report?' asked Harrison. 'With the army,' was Longstreet's grim answer; 'I shall be sure to be with it.' He was very far from giving even to his trusted scout information as to his movements. But Harrison knew all the same; he knew pretty much everything that was going on. . ."
"At night I was roused by a detail of the provost gguard bringing up a suspicious prisoner. I knew him instantly; it was Harrison, the scout, filthy and ragged, showing some rough work and exposure. He had come to 'Report to the General, who was sure to be with the army," and truly his report was long and valuable. I should here say that in every respect it was afterwards fully confirmed by events and facts. Harrison gave us the first complete account of the operations of the enemy since Hooker left our front. He brought his report down to a day or two, and described how they were even then marching in great numbers in the direction of Gettysburg, with the intention apparently of concentrating there. He also informed us of the removal of Hooker and the appointment of George Meade to command of the Army of the Potomac. How many commanders had Lee made for that army! Harrison's report was so exceedingly important that I took him at once with me, and woke Longstreet. He was immediately on fire at such news and sent the scout by a staff officer to General Lee's camp near by. The General heard him with great composure and minuteness. It was on this, the report of a single scout, in the absence of cavalry, that the army moved. Imporant as was the change, the commanding General was not long in deciding. he sent orders to bring Ewell immediately back from the North about Harrisburg, and join his left. Then he started A.P Hill off at sunrise for Gettysburg, followed by Longstreet. The enemy was there, and there our General would strike him."
Source: Recollections of a Confederate Staff Officer
The student of Gettysburg will no doubt note that Sorrel was obviously slightly confused toward the last as to timing and location. Gettysburg was not considered by either army to be a focal point, although its connections of roads were considered important for possible troops movements. Ewell had been directed to head South in the direction of Gettysburg or Chambersburg, and Hill and Longstreet were sent toward Cashtown, with a detachment of Heth's division advancing into Gettysburg itself and clashing with Buford's cavlary, thus beginning the battle.
Commentary
Since meeting the scout Harrison during Longstreet's assignment to the Suffolk region, Longstreet had found his services of utmost value. Luckily, as it turned out, Longstreet sought him out and directed him to provide as much information as possible.
Toward the end of June, the Confederate army found itself in Pennsylvania and the three corps widely dispersed. Lee's trusted cavalry commander, J.E.B. Stuart was nowhere to be found, and the army commander was literally chomping at the bit to learn of the movements of the Federal army. As late as June 27, Lee had no idea whether or not the Army of the Potomac had crossed the Potomac River in pursuit.
Longstreet's favorite scout, as Sorrel described him, would come to the rescue.