Confederate Situation Report - Afternoon 13th June

'Ole Jube'

At ‘Ole Jube’ Early’s behest, General ‘Bobby’ Ransom leads his cavalry brigade out of the lines at Sexton’s Junction and moves them by railroad to Charlottesville on the 13th June 1864.

Gen'l Ransom

The next day Ransom completes his move to Waynesboro, arriving there
at dusk on the 14th, there are signs of considerable recent enemy activity in the area, so the cavalry are kept some miles out of town and only a few scouts are sent forward to reconnoiter.

Capt. Wellington J. Finch, 17th Virginia Cavalry leads one such scouting party and reports back to     the well respected Bobby Ransom sometime after 3:00am 15th June.

“…by my estimates, Sir, we’re looking at a full Yankee Cavalry Brigade, they looks to me like     Pennsylvania boys, their lines are well drawn up and they seems to be knowing their soldiering, they have some pickets out and they are patrolling out to about a mile from their camp.”

Meanwhile Early’s Corps spends an initially frustrating day waiting for enough locomotives and wagons to be requisitioned to transport them from Sexton’s Junction to Charlottesville. It seems that this issue is only resolved when the rolling stock used to transport Ransom’s cavalry brigade returns overnight to Sexton’s Junction. This was not over popular with the men who had to travel in the boxcars previously used to house the horses – especially for those who had no shoes!

Bobby Rhodes

So it is early on the morning of the 14th June that Rhodes’ division finally entrains and sets off for
Charlottesville – arriving there late afternoon. ‘Lil Dod’ Ramseur’s division benefited from some additional locos that were found and his division arrives in Charlottesville late on the night of the 14th June.

Gen'l Beckinridge

Beckinridge’s Corps remains in Lynchburg throughout the 13th & 14th, following orders to allow Ransom’s cavalry brigade to forge the way, they will be ready to move out on the morning of the 15th June.