Why did Confederate General JEB Stu believe that an effective assault on on Union cavalry at a crucial intersection of Hanover and Old Dutch Road might win a victory for the South at Gettysburg?

Answer 1

Part of JEB Stuart's problem was that the long ride around the Army of the Potomac cost him to be late and tired from a long and difficult attempt to reach Robert E. Lee at Gettysburg. He did have the vision however to see that if he could rout Union forces at the crucial crossroads of Hanover and Old Dutch Road, would allow a flank attack on General Meade, cut off his supply and communications lines and cause panic among many Union troops were not battle veterans that Lee had. Also, Lee believed that the replacement of General Joseph Hooker by Meade could cause that some confusion and communication problems with the large Army of the Potomac.