GDG- Cava;ry ops

[cameron2 at optimum.net]

<< If the Cavalry is supposed to screen the AOP and ensure that no force
moves on the left or right how do you avoid a fight if that force is
found?  

In other words was the battle of Hanover legitimate course of action?  >>

Hanover was an encounter battle, which really couldn't be avoided.
Pleasonton's cavalry wasn't simply screening the AOP.  It's mission was to penetrate the enemy cavalry screen and obtain accurate and timely intelligence.  With that sort of mission, it was going to get into some fights.  Put merely fighting enemy cavalry wasn't the priority.  If Pleasonton was able to report a successful engagement with enemy cavalry, that was nice, but unless that engagement got Meade information he was looking for, it didn't accomplish much.